Michael Walrath

Michael Walrath (born April 17, 1975) is an American investor, advisor, and entrepreneur known for founding and leading startup and expansion-stage companies. He was the CEO and founder of Right Media, an online advertising exchange marketplace that was acquired by Yahoo for $850 million in 2007.^[1] Walrath is also a co-founder of the WGI Group, an early-stage venture capital firm.

Michael Walrath
Born	(1975-04-17) April 17, 1975 (age 50) Brookfield, Connecticut, US
Education	Brookfield High School, University of Richmond
Occupation	Businessman
Known for	CEO and founder of Right Media
Website	WGI Group

Early life and education

Walrath grew up in Brookfield, Connecticut, and graduated from Brookfield High School. In 1997, he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the University of Richmond.

Career

Early career

After college, Walrath worked in promotional marketing for Reebok and held roles as a personal trainer and fitness program manager.^[2] In 1999, he joined DoubleClick, where he became the director of direct marketing and later the senior vice president of strategy and development at MaxWorldwide. During his time at DoubleClick, he helped create DoubleClick Direct, a direct marketing service.^[2]

Right Media

In 2003, Walrath founded Right Media, a digital advertising exchange marketplace. The company experienced rapid growth, with revenues increasing from $1.3 million in 2003 to $34.8 million in 2006.^[1] Inc. magazine ranked Right Media 43rd on its list of the fastest-growing private companies in the United States.^[3] Walrath served as Yahoo's Senior Vice President of Advertising Strategy until 2009.^[4]

WGI Group and Investments

In 2009, Walrath co-founded the WGI Group with Noah and Jonah Goodhart.^[4] The venture capital firm focuses on seed investments in internet-based startups. Walrath also became chairman of Yext,^[5] a location data software company, and chairman of Moat,^[6] an analytics company specializing in digital ads.

Atlas Films

In 2008, Walrath co-founded Atlas Films, a production company focused on feature-length documentary films^[7] addressing social issues.^[8] The company's debut film, Tapped, examined the bottled water industry's environmental and health impacts. Atlas Films also partnered with Katie Couric on The Big Picture,^[9] a documentary exploring the root causes of childhood obesity.^[10]

Other ventures

In 2012, Walrath acquired The Surf Lodge, a concert and nightlife venue in Montauk, New York, ^[11] and became part-owner of the restaurant Swallow East, also in Montauk.^[12]

Philanthropy

In 2008, Walrath and his wife, Michelle, founded the Walrath Family Foundation, which supports social, environmental, and health organizations.^[13] The foundation has contributed to environmental groups such as Grassroots Environmental Education, Food and Water Watch, and the Peconic Land Trust.^[14] The Walrath Family Foundation also supports arts initiatives and organizations focused on addressing humanitarian crises, including genocide.^[15]

Recognition

In 2007, Walrath received the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award for his work with Right Media.^[13]

Key accomplishments

• Right Media: Founded and sold the company to Yahoo for $850 million.
• Yext: Board chair of a company valued at $270 million.^[16]
• Atlas Films: Produced socially conscious documentaries such as Tapped.
• WGI Group: Co-founded a venture capital firm investing in internet startups