Hey there- my name is Matt. I have spent my career working across industries in education, design, technology, and business. I am a passionate and driven person with a love of learning, adventure, and literature.
I recently founded my own company, the Magic of Things LLC, and have launched a Kickstarter project for The Cauldron Magical Pub & Inn, a pub and tech lab where we use science, technology, and great design to bring the magic described in fantasy book to life. We are hoping to raise capital through the Kickstarter and some seed investment.
For almost three years I worked at PageFair, the world’s leading counter-adblock solutions provider. PageFair's mission is to sustain the open web and ensure that content creators can get fairly paid for their work. I think it’s a pretty worthwhile goal, and I enjoyed working with and learning from my colleagues. I was an early hire at the company and head of communications and product design. I also got to work with lots of data, which makes me happy.
My educational background is varied and matches my passion for learning and goal of building a tech company focused around literature and learning. I have master’s degrees in Education and Social Change and Creative Digital Media, and an undergraduate honors degree in Interdisciplinary Studies.
I’ve had the privilege of working with talented and interesting people all over the world who continually challenge me and make me smile. I’ve also been part of some terrific programs, namely Teach for America, the Luce Scholars Program, and the Mitchell Scholars Program, that have helped me develop my understanding of our world and my place in it.
I enjoy cycling, trekking, and reading.
Get in touch
My email is MatthewCortland@gmail.com.
First Class Honours Master's Degree, Dublin Institute of Technology, 2015
George Mitchell Scholar, 2014
Henry Luce Scholar, 2013
Master's degree, University of Miami, 2013
Teach for America Miami-Dade Diversity Award, 2013
Teach for America, 2011
Rutgers Humanities Department Graduation Speaker, 2011
Honors Undergraduate Degree, Summa cum laude, Rutgers University, 2011
Phi Beta Kappa, 2011
Henry Rutgers Thesis Award, 2011
New Jersey Hero Award, 2011
Toyota Community Scholar Grand Prize Winner, 2007
Selected Honors
Vas a alucinar con este 'crowdfunding' tan currado para montar un bar de Harry Potter, HuffPo ES, July 2017
EVOKE THE MAGIC OF HARRY POTTER WITH ‘CAULDRON MAGICAL’ KICKSTARTER CAMPAIGN, Digital Trends, June 2017
ESTE PROYECTO BUSCA RECREAR LA MAGIA DE HARRY POTTER CON EL INTERNET DE LAS COSAS, Digital Trends ES, June 2017
The Cauldron: Where Science and Magic meet, HP-Lexicon, June 2017
A ‘Harry Potter’ Superfan And A NASA Engineer Are Creating A Real ‘Leaky Cauldron’, HuffPost, June 2017
Harry Potter fans to get obliviated in London’s Cauldron pub, The Times, June 2017
A HARRY POTTER-INSPIRED PUB (WITH REAL MAGIC!) COULD OPEN NEXT YEAR, Nerdist, June 2017
A wizard idea? Harry Potter fans set to get magical pub in London, The Telegraph, June 2017
Wands (and pints) at the ready: London could be getting a Harry Potter pub, Metro.co.uk, June 2017
A Harry Potter-themed pub is set to open in London next year and you can help make it happen, Lonely Planet, June 2017
A Real Life Leaky Cauldron Pub Could Be Coming To London, Secret London, June 2017
This Man Wants To Build a Harry Potter Inspired Pub in London, Food & Wine, June 2017
This Harry Potter Superfan Hopes to Create A Real Life Wizarding Pub, Apartment Therapy, June 2017
A Real-Life Harry Potter Pub Could Be Coming To London, Loaded.co.uk, June 2017
There's a Kickstarter to open a Harry Potter-themed pub that uses *real* magic, Hello Giggles, June 2017
A Harry Potter-Themed Bar Could Be Opening In London, If The Owners Raise Enough Money On Kickstarter, Bustle, June 2017
‘HARRY POTTER’ PUB PLANNED FOR LONDON, The Drinks Business, June 2017
Dublin-Based man starts crowdfund to create magical Harry Potter-inspired pub, Evoke.ie, June 2017
This Kickstarter for a wizarding pub is every 'Harry Potter' fan's dream, Mashable, May 2017
A Harry Potter pub could be coming to London, TimeOut London, May 2017
This Guy Wants To Create A Real Wizarding Pub In London Using Technology, HuffPost UK, May 2017
A 'magical' Harry Potter pub with wands and floating candles could open in London next year, Business Insider, May 2017
Harry Potter-inspired magical London pub wants your funding, IB Times, May 2017
An Ireland-based man wants to crowdfund a Harry Potter pub complete with 'magic' wands, Fora.ie, May 2017
Press