SoftMatch

Market leaders and startups can do more together. SoftMatch is a curated network representing the most innovative companies in the world. As serial entrepreneurs and Fortune 500 executives, our team knows better than anyone how to unleash the value caught in the gap between large and small companies.

75% of the current S&P 500 will be replaced by 2027.

SoftMatch helps enterprises more efficiently uncover the innovation their businesses need to stay on top.

Innovation Scouting

Leveraging our network of more than 40 incubators, accelerators and startup programs globally, we filter startups based on your unique strategies and needs, then cull down the millions of innovators to a small group of hand-picked disrupters. We make it easier to know what’s out there, spot emerging threats and identify candidates for partnerships, strategic investments and acquisitions.

Inbound Briefings

Executives overwhelmed by a high volume of inbound sales and partnership inquiries equally struggle to efficiently identify the best opportunities to drive innovation in their business. Click to learn more about how SoftMatch can assess these leads for you and brief you on what matters most, saving you time and helping you to make better decisions, faster.

Strategic Advising

We help our clients go further than just knowing what’s out there. Our team stays involved by managing your newly uncovered disruptive ecosystem, whether that is further advising on a specific match, developing corporate innovation programs, or facilitating startup pitch days and hackathons at some of the world’s leading accelerators. SoftMatch continues to cultivate your ongoing process of innovation and turns big ideas into big actions.

Leadership team

Global reach and unparalleled experience combined with impeccable follow-through.

Gordon Daugherty

Managing Director,
Corporate Innovation

Startup Advisor | Angel Investor | VC | Career includes experience in brand name companies like IBM, Compaq and CA Technologies, as well as executive experience with an emphasis in marketing, sales, business development and M&A in many early stage and high growth companies.

Mike W. Erwin

Managing Partner,
Co-Founder

Co-Founder & CFO, Chaotic Moon Studios | Serial entrepreneur with a 25-year tenure in building technology companies | Author | Investor | Expert in emerging technologies, financial and structural risk management, and corporate acquisition structures

Jackson Giles

Managing Partner,
Co-Founder

Entrepreneurship MBA from Acton School of Business. Background includes working in nonprofit development for Teach For America and in client success for Umbel, an Austin based technology startup.

Dr. David B. Palumbo

Managing Director,
Learning Innovation

VP – Learning Services, CompassLearning | Chief Academic Officer & CIO, National Heritage Academy | Global Education Lead , Sapient. Experienced education industry executive | Deeply passionate about the triple bottom line and the business of learning

Mellie Price

Co-Founder

Successful entrepreneur | Seasoned angel investor | GP & Managing Director @CapitalFactory | Former M&A specialist | Lover of life.

Wendy Smith

Advisor,
Health Innovation

Background includes working with the nation’s largest health plans- UnitedHealthcare, Bravo Health (now Cigna Health Spring), Aetna, Seton and PacifiCare. Passionate about healthcare technology and is on the Advisory Board of 7 startups.

HELPING MARKET LEADERS AND STARTUPS INNOVATE FASTER TOGETHER