Sweat Equity
Matt Marrapode (MMM '21) is applying lessons learned from Northwestern's MBA + MS Design Innovation (MMM) program to guide strategy for wearable technology innovation at Epicore Biosystems.
Matt Marrapode (MMM '21) stood in the sweltering heat of an industrial worksite last summer, watching as sweat-drenched workers labored through their daily work routine.
The next day, Marrapode was in a climate-controlled boardroom leveraging what he learned in the field to shape strategy for Epicore BIosystems.
Marrapode is a graduate of Northwestern's MBA + MS Design Innovation (MMM) program — a dual-degree program between Northwestern Engineering and the Kellogg School of Management. Today, he serves as vice president of strategy for Epicore, a company focused on developing wearable bio-sensors that analyze sweat to provide real-time feedback about a person’s health, including hydration status and the presence of banned substances.“I love that my role allows me to be hands-on,” Marrapode said. “One day I'm on-site with industrial workers testing our technology, and the next I'm in a boardroom strategizing on our next phase of growth.”
That strategizing includes plans to spend a new influx of money. In February, Epicore secured $26 million in Series B funding.
This milestone is more than just a financial win for Marrapode and his colleagues. It also serves as validation from investors and partners that they believe in the company’s vision and the potential impact of its technology.
“More importantly, it gives us the ability to scale faster and explore new applications that have the potential to solve real-world health challenges,” he said. “Having great technology isn’t enough. You need the data to prove its impact, the right partners to help you scale, and a world-class team to execute. Epicore brings all three together.”
The company’s technology offers live insights into hydration, stress, nutrition, and wellness by measuring the chemical composition of sweat. This non-invasive approach has applications ranging from sports and fitness to worker safety for those toiling in the unrelenting summer sun.
Marrapode's journey to Epicore was shaped by his time in the MMM program. He turned to Northwestern to build a bridge between his engineering background and the business leadership skills he wanted while deepening his expertise in analytics, operations, and human-centered design.
"MMM was the perfect blend of strategy, innovation, and execution,” he said. “That was exactly the skill set I needed to transition into the leadership roles I envisioned.”
But that transition wasn't without its challenges. Marrapode joined Epicore soon after graduating from MMM, and he's experienced firsthand the ups and downs that come with building a startup. The learning curve has been steep, he said, but it's been rewarding.
Marrapode credits the MMM program with equipping him to successfully navigate the journey.
"The power of cross-functional thinking — approaching problems with both business and design perspectives — leads to better solutions,” he said. “Success is about solving the right problems in a way that creates value.”
As Epicore continues to grow — expanding beyond sports and fitness into sectors such as energy, construction, and manufacturing — Marrapode finds himself applying MMM lessons daily. His role requires him to navigate uncertainty, think across disciplines, and communicate a clear vision.
Looking ahead, Marrapode is ready for more organizational growth — and continued opportunities to apply MMM lessons to the field of wearable technology.
"The ability to translate biochemical insights into actionable health decisions is an area where I see massive potential. That’s what drew me to Epicore," he said. "I’m grateful for the foundation MMM provided. It gave me the skills, mindset, and network to transition into a high-growth, high-impact environment.”