Matt Paulson is the founder and CEO of MarketBeat, an Inc. 5000 financial media company that empowers equity investors to make better trading decisions with real-time financial data, in-depth analysis, and best-in-class stock research tools. MarketBeat has been recognized by Barron’s, Forbes, Entrepreneur, Inc., and Prairie Business for its rapid growth and success. With more than 2.5 million email subscribers, MarketBeat is the largest digital media company in the Dakotas.

Over the past decade, Matt had made substantial contributions to South Dakota’s startup ecosystem. He was instrumental in the creation of Falls Angel Fund in 2016, which makes equity investments in early-stage, high-growth companies in South Dakota and surrounding states. He founded Startup Sioux Falls in 2019, which has since become the premier community and resource organization for startup founders in the region. Matt became the namesake of DSU's Paulson Cyber Incubator in 2020, which aims to accelerate student-led startup businesses. He co-founded Homegrown Capital in 2021, a venture capital firm that makes seed-stage and Series A investments in technology-driven companies in the Northern Plains. Matt currently serves on the organizing committees for 1 Million Cups, Hey Sioux Falls, and Innovation Expo. He has written eight entrepreneurship and investing books. The Small Business Administration has recognized Matt for his contributions to the startup ecosystem, naming him their Small Business Champion in 2020.

As an active private equity investor, Matt has invested in more than 75 high-growth startups, including Buffer, Bushel, Density, Dollar Shave Club, Lyft, Prismatic, and Wikia. He has real estate holdings that include ownership interests in more than 25 apartment complexes, hotels, retail centers, and quick-serve restaurants. Matt serves as the chairman of Falls Angel Fund, is a general partner at Homegrown Capital, is a general partner at Cresten Properties, and serves on the board of Prismatic.

Matt provides volunteer leadership to several area non-profits and Christian ministries. He currently serves on the Board of Trustees at Kairos University (Sioux Falls Seminary), on the Board of Directors at Startup Sioux Falls, on the Campaign Cabinet for Forward Sioux Falls 2026, and as the Treasurer for Faith Baptist Fellowship. Matt is also the director of Falls Community Growth PAC, which aims to elect pro-growth, community-minded candidates to state and local office.

Matt lives in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, with his wife, Karine, and their two children, Micah and Adylin.