Walter Paulsen

Experience

Various Companies

Founder, Advisor, Investor and Consultant for Multi 2013 - Present (over 13 years)

Consult to various startups and growth companies on issues related to sales, business development, and product strategy to help startups get initial traction with customers... more

Alula Hydronutrients

Founder, Co-Founded company that made nutrient control systems for Indoor Farming 2014 - 2019 (almost 6 years)

Developed initial product, sold MVP, led sales for AgTech company targeting indoor vertical farms and cannabis. Raised outside funding, developed pitch and sales materials.... more

OUTERWALL (redbox, Coinstar, ecoATM & SampleIT brands), Bellevue, WA

Co-Founder and General Manager, Gift Card Exchange Kiosk business 2011 - 2013 (over 2 years)

Led new business unit that enabled consumers to exchange unspent gift cards for cash at a network of kiosks, acquired over $300 million in gift card transactions.

Led... more

Exit

Giiv

SVP Business Development & Retail 2009 - 2010 (about 1 year)

Led business development and product management. Recruited new technology team and spearheaded product pivot that enabled sale to Revionix.

CardFact

Founder, Co-Founder CardFact 2006 - 2009 (over 3 years)

Gift card services company whose suite of services adds value to any retailer's gift card program. Provides strategic consulting on stored value best practices and enables... more

Blackhawk Network

Co-Founder and VP Business Development 2001 - 2006 (over 4 years)

Launched and ran Gift Card Mall from $0 - $500 million in ARR Founding member of startup business unit responsible for launching new products and services. Led team that... more

Nec

Director, Business Development 1996 - 1999 (about 3 years)

Sourced deals, performed due diligence, and crafted distribution and technology partnerships in Silicon Valley.

Twentieth Century Fox

Leading movie studio 1989 - 1995 (about 6 years)

owned at the time by Rupert Murdoch's News Corp.) Executive Director, Director, Manager Joined global media company after business school and worked in a business development,... more

Founder

Alula Hydronutrients, CardFact, Various Companies

Employee

Blackhawk Network, Twentieth Century Fox, Nec, Giiv, OUTERWALL (redbox, Coinstar, ecoATM & SampleIT brands), Bellevue, WA

Education

About

Achievements

U.S. Patent 9064268B2
Larrick, Heffernan, Paulsen. 2015. Gift card exchange kiosks and associated methods of use. U.S. Patent 9064268B2, filed November 1, 2011, and issued June 23, 2015.

Describe the most impressive thing you've done.

Skills

Business Development Distribution E-Commerce Management Retail Sales Sales Venture Capital P&L Strategic Planning Strategic Thinking Sales Strategy and Management

Locations

San Francisco Bay Area

Q&A

What's the most useful business-related book you've ever read?

Measure What Matters, John Doerr

What's your favorite non-business book?

The Guns at Last Light, Rick Atkinson

Walter Paulsen

Serendipity hunter and rainmaker, five exits from nine startups, focus on forswore for fintech, marketplaces and AI/ML platforms. Enjoy running at Tahoe Rim Trail and Grand Canyon, Hood to Coast and Spartan races. @harvard University

U.S. Patent 9064268B2 Larrick, Heffernan, Paulsen. 2015. Gift card exchange kiosks and associated methods of use. U.S. Patent 9064268B2, filed November 1, 2011, and issued June 23, 2015.

U.S. Patent 9064268B2
Larrick, Heffernan, Paulsen. 2015. Gift card exchange kiosks and associated methods of use. U.S. Patent 9064268B2, filed November 1, 2011, and issued June 23, 2015.