MassVentures

Minutes

MassVentures Board Meeting

Date and Time

Monday July 28, 2025 at 8:00 AM

Location

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Meeting ID: 879 0420 1408
Passcode: 293566

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1075 Main Street, Suite 100

Waltham, MA 02451

 

 

Directors Present

B. Linville-Engler (remote), B. Shim (remote), E. Kennedy (remote), J. O'Reilly (remote), M. Cowan (remote), M. James (remote), N. Berlin (remote), R. Jarquin (remote), W. Asher

Directors Absent

A. Stolba, D. Schultheis, L. Wittenberg

Directors who left before the meeting adjourned

B. Linville-Engler

Guests Present

C. Hipwood, J. Madison, M. Kassaraba, P. Yadav, S. Leis, S. Swider, V. Nijhawan, W. Leslie

I. Opening Items

A.

Call the Meeting to Order

B.

Examples of Mission

Mr. Hipwood provided some examples of mission.

C.

Highlights

Mr. Hipwood provided some highlights and lowlights since the last meeting.

II. Approvals

A.

Board Minutes

W. Asher made a motion to approve the minutes from MassVentures Board Meeting on 06-16-25.
M. James seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
A. Stolba
Absent
W. Asher
Aye
E. Kennedy
Abstain
B. Linville-Engler
Abstain
M. James
Aye
B. Shim
Aye
L. Wittenberg
Absent
D. Schultheis
Absent
J. O'Reilly
Aye
R. Jarquin
Aye
M. Cowan
Aye
N. Berlin
Abstain

B.

Pre-Investment Clearcut Amendment

J. O'Reilly made a motion to Approve the pre-investment action sheet.
M. Cowan seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
D. Schultheis
Absent
W. Asher
Aye
B. Shim
Aye
R. Jarquin
Aye
B. Linville-Engler
Aye
M. James
Aye
A. Stolba
Absent
L. Wittenberg
Absent
J. O'Reilly
Aye
E. Kennedy
Abstain
N. Berlin
Abstain
M. Cowan
Aye

C.

Pre-Investment Action Sheet: florrent

J. O'Reilly made a motion to Approve the pre-investment action sheet.
M. Cowan seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
J. O'Reilly
Aye
D. Schultheis
Absent
N. Berlin
Abstain
M. Cowan
Aye
B. Linville-Engler
Aye
E. Kennedy
Abstain
A. Stolba
Absent
M. James
Aye
W. Asher
Aye
L. Wittenberg
Absent
B. Shim
Aye
R. Jarquin
Aye

III. Financial Matters

A.

Treasurer's Report

Mr. Madison presented the Treasurer's report.  Discussion ensued.  

B.

Approve Treasurer's Report

J. O'Reilly made a motion to Approve the Treasurer's report.
B. Linville-Engler seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
W. Asher
Aye
A. Stolba
Absent
R. Jarquin
Aye
L. Wittenberg
Absent
N. Berlin
Aye
B. Linville-Engler
Aye
M. James
Aye
J. O'Reilly
Aye
D. Schultheis
Absent
E. Kennedy
Aye
B. Shim
Aye
M. Cowan
Aye

IV. Conflicts of Interest

A.

Conflicts

Mr. Hipwood presented a list of companies under consideration for potential investment and asked that any conflicts of interest be declared.  None were noted.  

V. Executive Session

A.

Roll Call Vote to Enter Executive Session

W. Asher made a motion to Enter into executive session to discuss confidential information related to applicants of MassVentures' funds.
R. Jarquin seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
M. Cowan
Aye
J. O'Reilly
Aye
E. Kennedy
Aye
N. Berlin
Aye
B. Shim
Aye
W. Asher
Aye
D. Schultheis
Absent
B. Linville-Engler
Aye
A. Stolba
Absent
R. Jarquin
Aye
M. James
Aye
L. Wittenberg
Absent

B.

Cyvl Discussion

Ms. Yadav presented an update and potential follow-on investment for Cyvl.  Discussion ensued.  Mr. Barry and Ms. Tonucci from MassDevelopment joined the discussion and expressed their approval of the investment on behalf of Commonwealth Fund 4.

C.

Cyvl Vote

R. Jarquin made a motion to Approve the investment in Cyvl.
W. Asher seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
W. Asher
Aye
D. Schultheis
Absent
A. Stolba
Absent
M. James
Aye
J. O'Reilly
Aye
B. Linville-Engler
Aye
M. Cowan
Aye
N. Berlin
Aye
B. Shim
Aye
L. Wittenberg
Absent
E. Kennedy
Aye
R. Jarquin
Aye

D.

Aeroshield Discussion

Mr. Nijhawan presented an update and potential follow-on investment for Aeroshield.  Discussion ensued

E.

Aeroshield Vote

W. Asher made a motion to Approve the investment in Aeroshield.
B. Linville-Engler seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
W. Asher
Aye
D. Schultheis
Absent
L. Wittenberg
Absent
M. James
Aye
B. Shim
Aye
M. Cowan
Aye
E. Kennedy
Aye
A. Stolba
Absent
R. Jarquin
Aye
J. O'Reilly
Aye
B. Linville-Engler
Aye
N. Berlin
Aye
B. Linville-Engler left.

F.

InGel Discussion

Mr. Nijhawan presented an update and potential follow-on investment for InGel.  Discussion ensued

G.

InGel Vote

R. Jarquin made a motion to Approve the investment in InGel.
J. O'Reilly seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
J. O'Reilly
Aye
A. Stolba
Absent
D. Schultheis
Absent
R. Jarquin
Aye
M. Cowan
Aye
M. James
Aye
L. Wittenberg
Absent
E. Kennedy
Aye
B. Shim
Aye
B. Linville-Engler
Absent
W. Asher
Aye
N. Berlin
Aye

H.

Subconscious (BitEnergy) Discussion

Ms. Swider presented an update and potential follow-on investment for Subconscious (fka BitEnergy).  Discussion ensued

I.

Subconscious (BitEnergy) Vote

M. Cowan made a motion to Approve the investment in Subconscious.
R. Jarquin seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
D. Schultheis
Absent
L. Wittenberg
Absent
E. Kennedy
Aye
M. James
Aye
J. O'Reilly
Aye
M. Cowan
Aye
W. Asher
Aye
R. Jarquin
Aye
A. Stolba
Absent
B. Shim
Aye
B. Linville-Engler
Absent
N. Berlin
Aye

J.

THRiVE Grants

W. Asher made a motion to Approve the THRiVE grants as presented.
J. O'Reilly seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
W. Asher
Aye
B. Shim
Aye
L. Wittenberg
Absent
N. Berlin
Aye
R. Jarquin
Aye
M. James
Aye
D. Schultheis
Absent
M. Cowan
Aye
E. Kennedy
Aye
A. Stolba
Absent
J. O'Reilly
Aye
B. Linville-Engler
Absent

K.

Pipeline Report

L.

Portfolio Update

Mr. Hipwood provided a brief update on the portfolio.  

M.

Roll Call Vote to Return to Open Session

R. Jarquin made a motion to Return to open session.
W. Asher seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
Roll Call
W. Asher
Aye
A. Stolba
Absent
E. Kennedy
Aye
M. James
Aye
J. O'Reilly
Aye
B. Linville-Engler
Absent
B. Shim
Aye
L. Wittenberg
Absent
N. Berlin
Aye
R. Jarquin
Aye
D. Schultheis
Absent
M. Cowan
Aye

After returning to open session, Mr. Hipwood anounced that votes took place during executive session approving follow-on investments for Cyvl, Aeroshield, InGel and Subconscious.  Additionally, two grants for THRiVE were approved.  

VI. President's Report

A.

General Update

Mr. Hipwood provided an update on the general business of MassVentures.  Discussion ensued.  

B.

MV Capital Update

Mr. Hipwood provided an update with regards to Acorn funding that was eliminated as part of the FY 26 budget.  Discussion ensued.  

C.

MV Accelerate Update

Mr. Hipwood provided an update on the EIR (THRiVE) funding that was eliminated as part of the FY 26 budget process.  Discussion ensued.  Mr. Kassaraba provided an update on the MALSI conference.  

D.

Strategy Discussion

Mr. Hipwood provided an update on the strategic plan.  Discussion ensued.  

VII. Closing Items

A.

Adjourn Meeting

There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 9:45 AM.

Respectfully Submitted,
W. Asher