Patrick Koppula is an entrepreneur, innovator, and educator whose work bridges the fields of innovation, public interest, and entrepreneurship. As a founder, he has built and led multiple venture-funded startups that defined how people engage with entertainment and creative expression in the digital age. As an innovator, he explores how design, technology, and economic policy shape the future of industries and societies.
Patrick co-founded GarageBand.com, one of the earliest digital platforms for independent musicians, influencing product development at companies like Netflix and Apple. His ventures have consistently focused on enabling new forms of participation in digital ecosystems, from music to civic technology.
Beyond entrepreneurship, Patrick has contributed to technology policy and public sector innovation. He has been a researcher and collaborator at MIT’s Innovation Lab, Code for America, and various government agencies, including New York City’s COVID emergency response and the County of Los Angeles. His current investigations include:
- Status Dynamics in Design – Examining how power and hierarchy influence the adoption and impact of design methodologies.
- U.S. Green Steel Industry – Assessing the economic and technological viability of hydrogen-based direct reduction for decarbonizing steel production.
- IoT for Climate Resilience – Investigating the application of sensor networks and connected systems to mitigate environmental risks.
Patrick’s interdisciplinary approach reflects his commitment to shaping technology and entrepreneurship as forces for the evolution and adaptation of social well-being. He is currently pursuing an M.S. in Public Interest Technology at Arizona State University and holds a B.A. in Environmental Science & Public Policy from Harvard University.