Matthew Thomas, Angel Investor

Matthew Thomas is a technology entrepreneur and investor best known as Co‑Founder of AcademicWorks, a bootstrapped SaaS company acquired by Blackbaud (NASDAQ: BLKB) in 2017. AcademicWorks helped colleges, universities, and foundations streamline scholarship management while engaging donors, earning recognition on the Inc. 5000 and Fortune’s lists of top workplaces. Since the acquisition, Matthew has served as Entrepreneur in Residence at the Herb Kelleher Entrepreneurship Center at UT Austin, mentoring the next generation of founders. He has also advised and invested in startups, including Crave Retail, an in‑store experience platform, and Earthly Labs, a carbon capture company later acquired by Chart Industries. His career reflects a consistent focus on building scalable solutions and supporting innovation across industries. As an angel investor, Matthew has backed ventures in retail technology, sustainability, and education. His portfolio includes Crave Retail, Earthly Labs, and advisory roles with companies such as RamifAI, reflecting his interest in startups that combine operational efficiency with meaningful social and environmental impact.