Built by Founders,
For Founders
Level One Strategies was founded on a simple belief: great businesses deserve great plans. Not templates. Not guesswork. But rigorous, investor-ready strategy that turns ambition into action.
MATTHEW D. COOK
Matthew Cook is an entrepreneur, agency leader, and consultant who works with founders, executives, and leadership teams to transform ambitious ideas into clear, actionable strategies for growth.
With nearly two decades of experience in marketing, communications, and business strategy, Matthew has advised more than 100 companies and nonprofit organizations as a consultant, agency leader, fractional CMO, and venture advisor. He has developed business, marketing, and communications plans for dozens of startups and growing organizations, helping leaders sharpen their positioning, understand their markets, attract customers, prepare for funding, and build stronger foundations for long-term success.
Before launching Level One Strategies, Matt co-founded and served as CEO of Lost Trail Communications, a global marketing and communications firm. Throughout his career, he has supported organizations and brands ranging from emerging ventures to internationally recognized companies, including ESPN, Walmart, The Hershey Company, Dave & Buster’s, and Gold’s Gym. His work has contributed to campaigns and stories featured by CNN, Fox News, HBO, MSNBC, VICE, The New York Times, and The Washington Post.
Matt brings the mindset of an entrepreneur to every engagement. He understands the pressure of building something from the ground up, making difficult decisions with limited information, and turning a bold vision into a business that works in the real world. His strategies are designed to create clarity, uncover opportunity, and give leaders a blueprint they can use to build, grow, and succeed.
Matt earned his bachelor’s degree in political science, summa cum laude, from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. He holds a master’s degree in Sports Industry Management from Georgetown University, with a concentration in Strategic Marketing, Communications, and Digital Media, as well as an MBA from the University of Illinois Gies College of Business, with dual concentrations in Marketing and Entrepreneurship.
Strategy, Engineered
We do not believe in one-size-fits-all frameworks. We believe in a repeatable process that adapts to your business, your market, and your goals.
Discover
We begin by understanding your vision, market, and constraints. Every plan starts with rigorous listening—because strategy that ignores reality fails in execution.
Architect
We translate insight into structure: clear positioning, defensible models, and a roadmap that connects today’s decisions to tomorrow’s outcomes.
Validate
Assumptions are stress-tested against market data, competitive dynamics, and investor expectations—so your plan holds up under scrutiny.
Build
We produce polished, investor-ready documents and executable marketing frameworks designed to be used, not shelved.
Launch
You leave with more than a plan. You leave with confidence, clarity, and a strategic foundation built to scale.
Ready to build your strategic foundation?
Book a free consultation and discover how a Level One plan can help you clarify your vision, validate your market, and move forward with confidence.