Podcast S2
Podcast S2: Matthew Growney, Thermal Brands
With decades of experience bridging venture capital, fashion, and culture, Matthew Growney has built a career at the intersection of design and business.
Date
09/23/2025
Author
Team Coeus
As the Co-Founder & Managing Director of Motorola Ventures, he helped steer investments in breakthrough technologies. Later, as Creative Director for PUMA, he drove collaborations with leading designers and trendsetters. Today, he is the Founder & Creative Director of Thermal Brands, a management agency shaping the future of lifestyle and luxury brands
In our conversation, Matthew explains why traditional VC misses the mark on creativity, why he takes a hard stance on AI, and how he curates his unique “shopping cart” of investments. He also reflects on lessons from law school, insights from running a mobile device company for kids, and the cultural forces that drive collaborations between brands like PUMA and Kith. His stories spanning tech, fashion, and subculture reveal what it takes to anticipate trends and build lasting influence.
Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
01:23 Time as Co-Founder & Managing Director of Motorola Ventures
18:03 How He Builds His "Shopping Cart" as an Investor
26:45 Takes on the Future of Social Media, AI, and Fashion
40:28 His Time Running a Mobile Device Company Built for Use by Children
58:07 Entry Into Fashion & Trendsetting at PUMA
1:13:03 Why Puma & Kith Do Collaborations Rather Than Doubling Down On Themselves
1:31:25 This or That
1:36:09 Launch of Thermal Brands & His Role as an Agency Founder
1:47:30 Recap & Where to Find Him