Uncensored CMO The entrepreneur who raised $300m for charity after cheating death - Matt Pohlson, Omaze
Aug 13, 2025
Matt Pohlson, co-founder of Omaze, a platform that raised over £300m for charity, shares his remarkable journey driven by a near-death experience. He discusses the innovative business model of offering luxury prizes to inspire charitable giving and the pivotal role of storytelling in their success. Matt emphasizes the importance of consistent advertising in building brand identity and offers candid insights into the challenges of entrepreneurship. His transformative story is about turning personal fear into a mission of love and opportunity.
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Near-Death Moment That Changed Direction
- Matthew Pohlson described flatlining for 4.5 minutes and being resuscitated with his mother playing a pivotal role.
- That event changed his life perspective and motivated a business pivot at Omaze.
Scaling Impact Requires Control
- After his recovery Matthew saw celebrity experiences alone couldn't scale global impact.
- That insight triggered a strategic shift from celeb experiences to owned prize assets.
Magic Johnson Auction Sparked Omaze
- Matthew and a friend came up with Omaze after seeing a Magic Johnson charity auction limited to wealthy attendees.
- They realised fans worldwide could pay small amounts to enter and massively scale fundraising.
