Matthew Helderman

Matthew Helderman (also credited as Matt Helderman and Matthe Helderman) is an American production executive and entrepreneur known for building financing and production platforms that back studio-scale and independent film and TV. Born July 25, 1987, he has become a prominent figure in modern media capital, bridging creative development with structured financing.

While still an undergraduate at Lake Forest College, Helderman founded Buffalo 8 in 2010, helping grow it into a company with projects showcased at major festivals including Sundance, SXSW, and the Berlin International Film Festival. Buffalo 8 has also delivered high-profile Netflix titles such as Spike Lee’s Rodney King and the global true-crime series Conversations With a Killer: Jeffrey Dahmer, directed by Emmy winner Joe Berlinger.

In 2013, he co-founded BondIt Media Capital, overseeing the deployment of more than $250 million across 400+ film, television, and media opportunities. Under his leadership, BondIt expanded its funding capacity through major equity and debt efforts, including a partial sale to Accord Financial (TSX: ACD) and a larger credit facility arranged in 2020 with Revere Capital.

BondIt-backed projects include Oscar-nominated Loving Vincent, Roland Emmerich’s Midway, and Indie Spirit winner The Peanut Butter Falcon, alongside films featuring talent such as Robert De Niro, Uma Thurman, Nicolas Cage, and Samuel L. Jackson. Helderman also helped guide the acquisition of ABS Payroll and later supported its sale to Vensure Employer Services; he remains an executive director, partner, and board member. A philosophy graduate, he has been a TED speaker, featured by The New York Times, and is a YPO member.