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The 2025 State Economic Development Bond Bill: What’s In It for Massachusetts Founders?

  • MFN Staff
  • MFN Staff
MA Economic Development Bond Bill

Charlie Hipwood, President and CEO of MassVentures talks with Jeffrey Thomas to break down the Massachusetts Economic Development Strategy and its potential impact on founders in the state. Charlie also explains how Mass Ventures, a quasi-public state instrumentality, invests in early-stage technology startups and runs grant programs to support founders.

 

VIDEO SUMMARY

 

  • Introduction to MassVentures:
    • MassVentures has been operational for 46 years as a quasi-public state organization in Massachusetts, focusing on supporting intellectual property (IP) startups and their founders.
  • Impact of the Healy Administration:
    • No significant changes in MassVentures’ focus with the new administration.
    • Aligns its objectives every four years with the state’s economic development plan and the goals of other quasi-public bodies.
  • Understanding Bond Bills:
    • Charlie explains that bond bills are essential for funding the state’s economic development plans, involving the issuance of bonds to finance necessary investments.
    • The legislature must approve these bills to allocate funds for projects in housing, infrastructure, transportation, and innovation sectors.
  • Core Areas of the Economic Development Plan:
    • The plan focuses on three main areas: fundamentals (housing, infrastructure, transportation), talent, and sector-specific innovation (like life sciences and technology).
    • Special emphasis on establishing Massachusetts as a leader in fields such as life sciences, climate tech, AI, robotics, and advanced manufacturing.
  • Support for Founders:
  • Advice for Supporting the Healy Administration’s Initiatives:
    • Charlie Hipwood advises founders to actively showcase their successful businesses to help secure legislative support for bond bills and further investments in the innovation economy.
    • He suggests participating in discussions and providing feedback to state legislators to emphasize the importance of the innovation economy.

Are you working to find community and opportunity as a Massachusetts startup founder? Join MFN and get access to experts, networking opportunities, and connections within the statewide entrepreneur ecosystem.

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