DAN MASON Naperville, IL

312-***-**** ad09zu@r.postjobfree.com

WORK EXPERIENCE

(Chicago, IL) Network VC (Global VC Partner Syndicate) [2023] Venture Partner I represent the Midwestern United States and am the only partner with IP and technology development experience from R&D centers at NASA and the Federal Labs. I engage with the other partners to assess and develop technology and deal flow under management in this globally distributed platform. I am focused on a portfolio of technologies which apply to healthcare/biosciences, green energy and developing nations.

(Chicago, IL). Applied Research Designs, Inc. (Fixed Wireless Broadband ISP) [2003-Present] Company Co-Founder/Co-Owner As a partner, I transformed a contract R&D firm into a fixed wireless affordable broadband communications services provider. I helped innovate the use of hybrid wireline and fixed wireless networks to meet the unique cost and performance requirements of two of the largest HUD landlords in Chicago.

• (2023) Architected a successful FCC challenge against major Illinois cable and ISP competitors, serving to unlock the potential for HUD families in low-income Chicago neighborhoods to be eligible for BEAD broadband funding.

• (2022) Named State of Illinois’ Inaugural Membership to Digital Equity Council, and Digital Equity Coalition

• (2021) State of Illinois’ First Office of Broadband Cohort Graduate/Grant Awardee with HUD partners for Urban Broadband Project Research & Planning

• (2018) First ISP to obtain ICC regulatory approval (Illinois)

• (2016) 1 of 12 initial ISPs in the nation to obtain FCC regulatory approval.

• (2004-2015) Completed 7 Phases of broadband networks with capacity to serve 1000 families.

D.N. Mason Media LLC (Digital Media) [2020–Present] Company Founder/Owner As the founder and Chicago Art Open’s 2008 Winner, Best Emerging Artist, D.N. Mason Media produces, distributes, and licenses house-developed digital content. The company was organized in 2020 as a distribution and licensing platform to monetize D.N. Mason’s repository of digital content assets.

• (2022) D.N. Mason Media attained profitability, deriving revenue from an eLearning licensing partnership, and sales channels forged with both online and brick and mortar partners. Developed three 95% profitable product lines derived from its repository of digital content.

• (2021) Successfully Incubated through Sunshine Enterprises, graduated CEO 2022. Innovated strategy to both mint and sell NFT concepts for other artists.

• (2020) Began selling brick and mortar at Ft. Wayne Museum of Art’s Gallery, Paradigm. Began licensing digital content for eLearning and art therapy markets. Illinois Coalition (State of Illinois Technology Business Incubator) [2000-2003] Early-Stage Technology Fund Manager As Program Manager, I ran a VC matching seed fund

(Funded by IDFA) targeting investment in early stage Illinois technology deals. I also ran the adjacent State of Illinois’ development program for tech startups and entrepreneurs. Our Technology Development Fund where, as co-investors with angels and VCs, we evaluated hundreds of deals, and executed a vetting, due diligence evaluation and investment ratification process to co-invest with over 25 early-stage VCs and angels in Illinois technology companies.

• I led over $10M investments in 25 Illinois companies.

• I recruited an additional $10M in private sector investment leverage for our portfolio companies.

• I raised the TDF’s IRR from 25% to over 40.4%.

• During 2 years of running the program I provided financial, business and technology commercialization services to over 200 entrepreneurs and startups. NASA Glenn Research Center/Battelle Memorial Institute (Federal Lab R&D)[Cleveland, OH, 1994-1999] [Chicago, IL 1999-2003]

Research Scientist/Commercialization Manager

I performed under a Battelle contract to assess and commercialize NASA and other Federal Lab developed technologies. While at NASA/Battelle, I engaged with all 10 NASA centers and their researchers; I performed due diligence on the entire portfolio of NASA technologies, I created and executed many technology commercialization plans. I valued technology for market spin- out opportunities, including raising early-stage capital for technology research, development, and commercialization ventures. I also recruited companies, investors, and entrepreneurs as commercial partners.

• I was responsible for Battelle’s first 5 NASA licenses.

• I was responsible for NASA Dryden’s first license, ever.

• I was responsible for NASA Glenn’s first license to a minority company.

• My work led to NASA establishing an $18M commercialization initiative for minority companies and formed the basis for establishing Battelle’s first Illinois division, which grew rapidly from 1 employee (me) to over 50 at its program height. EDUCATION

Amherst College, Amherst MA 1992

BA, Complex Organizational Behavior

BA, African American Studies

SKILLS

• Technology Assessment

• Licensing and Commercialization

• Venture Development

• Regulatory Compliance

• Intellectual Property Management

• Technology Marketing

• Team Collaboration

• Venture Capital

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