How the Gates Program Ignited the Careers of Two Graland Alumni
In honor of the 25th anniversary of the Gates Innovation and Invention Program, we caught up with two of its thriving alumni—Matthew Crowley ’05 and . Both have gone on to become leaders in their respective fields, each crediting the Gates program with helping to spark their passion for innovation and design. From entrepreneurial ventures to cutting-edge product development at Apple, their journeys reflect the transformative power of creativity, curiosity, and perseverance.
As part of the 25th anniversary celebrations, both Matt and Madi are excited to return to Graland as judges for the 2025 Gates Expo, where they will have the opportunity to see firsthand how the next generation of young innovators is shaping the future. Here’s a look at their experiences and how the Gates program continues to influence their careers today.
Matthew Crowley ’05
My Experience With the Gates Innovation Program
“I participated twice in the Gates program. My first entry was in fifth grade for fiber optic Christmas lights, which got second place. The next year, I created work gloves with embedded LEDs for task work. I won first place that year and got the opportunity to pursue a patent for that project. I’ve since had the pleasure of judging the Gates competition two times since being a student.”
Where I Am Now
“The Gates program set me on the course I am on today by introducing me to the concept of product design as a career path. It gave me a reason to study physics, math, and materials science in high school. I was lucky enough to go to Stanford to major in product design at the d.School, where I got to learn how to be a practicing designer from industry experts.
From there, I started to work at Apple in new product development on hardware, spending a lot of time in China helping create the first few prototypes of new products. After a while, I decided to go out on my own and start a health tech company called Round Health with some friends, which got me interested in the intersection of health and design. I then came back to Apple in 2017 to work in the design studio, and I am now the lead designer for our health and safety projects on Apple Watch, iPhone, and the rest of our ecosystem.”
Key Attributes from Graland That Shaped My Experience
“Curiosity is so crucial to being a good designer. You have to approach problems with a sense of wonder and excitement to find good solutions. Wondering how and why the world works helps you understand just how you can change it for the better.
Adaptability was a hard-learned lesson during my first year’s presentation at Gates. My PowerPoint was deleted from the computer, and my backup floppy disk (I know I’m old) was also broken, which meant I had to present my work without any notes or keynote to support it. This taught me just how important it is to stay calm and collected in the face of a crisis, be flexible and go with the flow, and to always, always, always have a backup.”
Awards and Recognition
“That one patent from the Gates competition has now turned into 176 patents from my work at Apple across many topics, like advanced manufacturing techniques to the ECG experience on Apple Watch.”
Madison Rifkin ’12
My Experience With the Gates Innovation Program
“My experience with the Gates program at Graland Country Day School was transformative and laid the foundation for my entrepreneurial journey. The program nurtured creativity, problem-solving, and the ability to turn ideas into tangible outcomes. My project was a bike lock designed to address the inconvenience and security concerns I observed in traditional locks. Through rigorous research, prototyping, and feedback sessions, I developed a functional and innovative product that ultimately earned a patent.
This process taught me invaluable lessons about perseverance, adapting to challenges, and refining ideas based on real-world needs. The program didn’t just encourage innovation; it provided the tools and support to see an idea through to completion. Winning a patent at a young age sparked my passion for entrepreneurship and inspired me to found Mount, a platform aimed at revolutionizing the travel industry. The Gates program was the catalyst that set me on this path.”
Where I Am Now
“As the CEO and founder of Mount, I am leading the charge in reshaping how people travel by making hidden gems and authentic local experiences accessible to everyone. Since launching Mount, we’ve grown to connect over 170,000 travelers with sustainable, off-the-beaten-path experiences while empowering local businesses to thrive. I’ve raised over $4 million in funding from top VCs, including General Catalyst, to support this vision. Most recently, we launched our consumer-facing app, Mount Travelers, enabling users to discover hidden gems whenever and wherever they travel.”
Key Attributes from Graland That Shaped My Experience
“During my time in the Gates program at Graland, creativity and curiosity were the two attributes that shaped my experience the most. Unlike most participants who worked with a partner, I decided to tackle the challenge alone. This was an uncommon choice, but it allowed me to fully immerse myself in the creative process of designing an innovative bike lock that addressed my problem of always forgetting it as I built this one into the frame of my bike.
My biggest milestone came when I had my final Gates presentation and presented my idea to a panel of judges. I had never done public speaking before, and standing alone in front of the panel was daunting. That experience not only tested my adaptability and confidence but also became a defining moment in my life. Every time I get on stage to pitch Mount today, I think back to that presentation and the resilience it instilled in me.”
Awards and Recognition
“Throughout my career, I’ve been fortunate to receive several notable awards and recognitions. I was honored with the Rising Star Award in both 2022 and 2023, celebrating my leadership and Mount’s impact on the travel industry. Mount was also named one of PhocusWire’s Hot 25 Travel Startups in 2023, highlighting our innovation and potential for transforming travel experiences. Additionally, I won the Women Who Empower Innovator Awards for Powering Global Change, which recognized my efforts to revolutionize the travel space while promoting sustainability and community support. These milestones, along with winning a patent for my bike lock invention at a young age, represent the entrepreneurial drive and creativity I continue to bring to my work in building Mount into a platform that redefines travel.”
Graland Country Day School
Graland Country Day School is a private school in Denver, Colorado, serving students in preschool, kindergarten, elementary, and middle school. Founded in Denver in 1927, Graland incorporates a rich, experiential learning approach in a traditional classroom setting, emphasizing the development of globally and socially conscious leaders who excel academically.
