Matt Buder Shapiro

Partner & CMO, Ensemble Performing Arts | Built Vytalize into the fastest-growing company in the U.S. (Inc. #1, 2024) | Founder, MedPilot (acquired)

📍 New York, New York, United States🔄 Updated September 2026💼 12 investments📅 8 years investing🗓 Last invested Mar 2026𝕏 @upgrade_to_unlock
VC🌍 United StatesInvested this year
12
Total investments
3
Early stage
3
Mid stage
3
Late stage
8y
Years active

Portfolio

11 investments · sorted by recency
All investments
Early stage
Mid stage
Late stage
Board Member
Aug 2025
Orange Grove Bio was established with a clear vision: to bridge the gap between promising research programs and the successful development and commercialization of transformative therapies. Our company is driven by the recognition of the disparity in venture capital investment across different regions of the United States, often resulting in groundbreaking discoveries going unexplored and potentially life-changing treatments failing to reach the patients who need them most. Based in Cincinnati, we strategically partner with prominent institutions and researchers across the Midwest, Southeast, and Mid-Atlantic regions. By fostering strong partnerships built on a shared commitment to innovation, our aim is to ensure that discoveries from these regions translate into life-changing treatments for patients, unlocking the full potential of the most promising research programs.
Investor
May 2021
Headway is building a new mental healthcare system that everyone can access making it easy for therapists to accept insurance and scale their practice. 1 in 4 people in the US have a treatable mental health condition, but the vast majority do not get the care they need. The primary reason is cost: the majority of therapists do not accept insurance, meaning paying for therapy is prohibitively expensive for prospective patients. This is where we got our start – Headway has built the first software-enabled network of therapists who accept health insurance, making it easy for therapists to grow their practices, and possible for patients to find quality care they can afford. Headway was founded in 2019 and are now powering 600,000+ appointments per month. To scale its vision, Headway has raised over $325 million in funding from a16z (Andreessen Horowitz), Thrive, Accel, and GV (formerly Google Ventures), Spark Capital, Forerunner Ventures and Health Care Service Corporation. Join us, and make an impact We believe a teams strength is in its people, and we cannot achieve this mission without a team that reflects the diversity of this problem - across race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, age, national origin, religion, family status, disability, military status, and experience. Headway employees work remotely across the US, with the option to work from our NYC (HQ) or SF offices. Headway is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, Headway will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided with reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact talent@findheadway.com.
Investor
Apr 2021
A PREPOSTEROUSLY DELICIOUS, PROTEIN-PACKED, VEGGIE-BOOSTED, OVERDUE REIMAGINING OF OUR BELOVED MAC & CHEESE.
early stageManufacturing
Chief Marketing Officer & ACO Board Member
Mar 2021
Vytalize Health is a leading value-based care platform. It helps independent physicians and practices stay ahead in a rapidly changing healthcare system by strengthening relationships with their patients through data-driven, holistic, and personalized care. Vytalize provides an all-in-one solution, including value-based incentives, smart technology, and a virtual clinic that enables independent practices to succeed in value-based care arrangements. Vytalizes care delivery model transforms the healthcare experience for more than 250,000+ Medicare beneficiaries across 36 states by helping them manage their chronic conditions in collaboration with their doctors.
Investor
Jul 2020
Cleveland Kitchen started several years ago with three brothers who began their fermenting journey in college as a way to stay in touch with their Cleveland roots. The business was born when they started selling mouthwatering, innovative kraut flavors at North Union Farmers Market on weekends. Now, our fresh, probiotic kraut, fermented dressings & marinades, kimchi, and pickles are sold in 10,000+ grocery stores across the country.
Advisor & Investor
Jan 2020
Ensemble Performing Arts is a partnership of community-focused music and dance businesses that maintain individual identities while sharing resources to ensure their mutual success. We believe that a performing arts education is a lifelong journey and is appropriate for individuals of all ages and skill levels. While many of our teachers are equipped to serve students with collegiate and professional ambitions, and we celebrate our students with these meritorious goals, we are equally delighted to work with students of all abilities seeking to enrich their lives through the performing arts. Students can expect a fun and welcoming learning environment with quality teachers underpinned by individual assessments and personalized guidance throughout their learning journey. While our focus always begins with safe classroom practices and healthy technique, what follows thereafter depends on a student’s unique interests, abilities, and ambitions. We celebrate differences in both teaching styles and learning styles, and always work to find a good fit for our students among our faculty and programs.
Investor
May 2019
A Colorful Bag Company.
early stageRetail
Investor
Apr 2019
Bokksu delivers authentic Japanese food and lifestyle products to customers around the world. Founded by Danny Taing in 2015, the New York and Tokyo-based D2C company partners with traditional makers throughout Japan to share their craft with over 100 countries via its snack subscription service, curated market of premium lifestyle goods, and online Asian grocery store. Putting as much care into its selection of products as it does sharing the stories behind them, Bokksu makes it easy for everyone everywhere to discover, buy, and love authentic Asian goods while also supporting and preserving the artistry of those who make them. Bokksu is a proudly LGBTQ+ and AAPI-owned company.
Investor
Mar 2019
Hot Chicken Takeover (HCT) is a community-focused restaurant serving juicy, perfectly-fried Nashville Hot Chicken to Central Ohio residents. Founded in 2014, HCT attracts an eclectic mix of customers eager to gather around long communal tables and sip of homemade iced tea, making the Hot Chicken Takeover experience feel more like a backyard block party than a restaurant. HCT is focused on creating impact in the communities it serves through its approach as a Fair Chance Employer. By infusing the company culture with ownership and pride, HCT team members feed a lively customer experience. As a result, Hot Chicken Takeover has grown to become a beloved Columbus brand in Central Ohio and beyond.
mid stageRestaurants
Investor
Jan 2019
Onda is a spirits brand for a new generation of drinkers. Onda’s first product is a line of canned tequila seltzer beverages, made with blanco tequila and real, legit juice. Onda’s beverages are 5% ABV, 100 calories, zero sugar, zero carbs and naturally gluten free. Onda’s brand is inspired by the surf style of the ‘90s. Learn more at drinkonda.com and on IG @drinkonda.
early stageManufacturing
Investor & Advisor
Oct 2018
The Clear Cut is a D2C diamond ring platform demystifying the buying process for couples through expert educational content and a curated selection of high-quality engagement rings at fair price points (Techstars '18)
Experience · 14 entries
All (14)
Investments (12)
Founder (1)
Board (3)
2026
Board Member - Mayoral Appointee
Mar 2026
Destination Cleveland leads travel and tourism initiatives that grow the regions economy. We are responsible for promoting Cleveland and its surrounding cities as an outstanding business meeting and tourism destination.
2025
Board Member
Aug 2025
Orange Grove Bio was established with a clear vision: to bridge the gap between promising research programs and the successful development and commercialization of transformative therapies. Our company is driven by the recognition of the disparity in venture capital investment across different regions of the United States, often resulting in groundbreaking discoveries going unexplored and potentially life-changing treatments failing to reach the patients who need them most. Based in Cincinnati, we strategically partner with prominent institutions and researchers across the Midwest, Southeast, and Mid-Atlantic regions. By fostering strong partnerships built on a shared commitment to innovation, our aim is to ensure that discoveries from these regions translate into life-changing treatments for patients, unlocking the full potential of the most promising research programs.
2021
Investor
May 2021
Headway is building a new mental healthcare system that everyone can access making it easy for therapists to accept insurance and scale their practice. 1 in 4 people in the US have a treatable mental health condition, but the vast majority do not get the care they need. The primary reason is cost: the majority of therapists do not accept insurance, meaning paying for therapy is prohibitively expensive for prospective patients. This is where we got our start – Headway has built the first software-enabled network of therapists who accept health insurance, making it easy for therapists to grow their practices, and possible for patients to find quality care they can afford. Headway was founded in 2019 and are now powering 600,000+ appointments per month. To scale its vision, Headway has raised over $325 million in funding from a16z (Andreessen Horowitz), Thrive, Accel, and GV (formerly Google Ventures), Spark Capital, Forerunner Ventures and Health Care Service Corporation. Join us, and make an impact We believe a teams strength is in its people, and we cannot achieve this mission without a team that reflects the diversity of this problem - across race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, age, national origin, religion, family status, disability, military status, and experience. Headway employees work remotely across the US, with the option to work from our NYC (HQ) or SF offices. Headway is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, Headway will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided with reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact talent@findheadway.com.
Investor
Apr 2021
A PREPOSTEROUSLY DELICIOUS, PROTEIN-PACKED, VEGGIE-BOOSTED, OVERDUE REIMAGINING OF OUR BELOVED MAC & CHEESE.
early stageManufacturing
Chief Marketing Officer & ACO Board Member
Mar 2021
Vytalize Health is a leading value-based care platform. It helps independent physicians and practices stay ahead in a rapidly changing healthcare system by strengthening relationships with their patients through data-driven, holistic, and personalized care. Vytalize provides an all-in-one solution, including value-based incentives, smart technology, and a virtual clinic that enables independent practices to succeed in value-based care arrangements. Vytalizes care delivery model transforms the healthcare experience for more than 250,000+ Medicare beneficiaries across 36 states by helping them manage their chronic conditions in collaboration with their doctors.
Show all 14 entries ↓
Investment activity
2018–2026 · 12 investments
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