Matthew Wahlrab

About Matthew Wahlrab

I build repeatable innovation systems for technical companies.At Rapid Alpha, we turn your existing data + external signals into a monthly operating signal that answers: Buy / Build / Partner / Invest? We score your data quality (RAG Heat Map), measure Vision–Focus–Results (VFR) alignment, and construct a de-risked portfolio you can fund, sequence, and track.Backed by scale: AI-driven analysis of companies and a 100-company VFR validation showed strong links to earlier growth and clearer early-warning signs. VFR isn’t a financial rating—it’s a way to run innovation like an evidence-based system.Clients include Stanley Black & Decker, BHP, Iluka, and Boeing. Prior work: commercialization for 5,600+ patents, incubator funds that launched companies raising $1B+ and 5+ unicorn exits in the past 3 years.If your product roadmap is busy but results don’t compound, I can help.Innovation & Portfolio: Innovation portfolio governance, IMaaS, VFR scoring, Buy/Build/Partner/Invest, TRL assessment, evidence-based gatesData & AI: Data curation, RAG/retrieval hygiene, embeddings/vector stores, evaluation datasets, model governance, observabilityDelivery & Ops: PMO for innovation, 30–90-day sprints, acceptance criteria, after-action reports, KPI dashboards, audit-ready governanceCorporate Dev & IP: IP strategy, FTO, claim charts, licensing/JV/M&A, roll-up/option deals, distribution partnershipsGTM & Customer: ICP focus, voice of customer, field trials, pricing/packaging, reference design wins

Experience

1. Founder & CEO

   Rapid Alpha, Inc

   Aug 2021 — Present · Bellevue, WA, US

   What we doBuild de-risked innovation portfolios for technical companies ($25M–$250M revenue).Start with your data → RAG Data Heat Map → VFR alignment → portfolio choices (Buy/Build/Partner/Invest).Run a monthly cadence so accuracy compounds and politics quiets down.How we do itPython + AI data pipelines, domain analysts, and IP strategists on one team.Evidence scoring (freshness, structure, completeness, retrievability) and TRL.Executive outputs: one-page signals, 30–90-day test plans, board-ready memos.Select outcomesEnterprise: Identified, sized, and sequenced an innovation portfolio; moved two bets from pilots → production in 2 quarters; boosted win rates by focusing on partner distribution before build.Industrial (NCS): Built Sense–Interpret–Control roadmap; structured field trials; defined control-oriented product line; supported deal frameworks (distribution, roll-up options).Resources: Designed innovation assessment to allocate multi-year R&D budgets (BHP); linked VFR to capital gates.Medtech/Industrial: Created IP-led growth theses; validated FTO; supported licensing and JV negotiations.Data Ops: Consolidated fragmented repos; reduced hallucinations via retrieval hygiene; improved time-to-insight from weeks to days.Metrics (illustrative ranges)20–40% faster time-to-decision on new bets2–3x more “kill early” clarity on low-fit ideas10–25% improvement in forecast accuracy after 2–3 cyclesPortfolio reallocation toward higher EV paths (distribution/partner vs default build)CredibilityAI-driven dataset of companies; 100-company VFR validation cohortCommercialization work spanning 5,600+ patent assetsClients & collaborators include Stanley Black & Decker, BHP, Iluka, Boeing, XTEND, Element3

Education

• Keller Graduate School of Management of DeVry University

  Masters of Business Administration with an emphasis in Finance, Business Administration, Finance

  2011 — 2013

• UC Santa Barbara

  Undergraduate Coursework, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

  1997 — 2002

• Devry University West Hills

  BS, Electrical and Electronics Engineering

  2004 — 2006

Skills

• Mergers & Acquisitions
• Entrepreneurship
• Patentability
• Corporate Strategy Formulation
• Strategy
• Branding Initiatives
• Patent Law
• Patent Strategy
• Patents
• Team Leadership
• Financial Modeling
• Negotiation
• Market Analysis
• Patent Applications
• Marketing
• Web Services
• Project Management
• Program Management
• Licensing
• Sales Operations
• Managerial Finance
• Patent Litigation
• Outsourcing
• Due Diligence
• Business Development
• Strategic Planning
• Industry Analysis
• Patent Preparation
• Financial Analysis
• Open Innovation
• Intellectual Property
• Leadership
• Strategic Partnerships
• Claim Charts
• Salesforce.com
• Patent Analysis
• Organizational Leadership
• Management
• Team Building
• Business Strategy