We are women who have invested in tech startups for 10+ years, with 4 exits and $475 million in generated revenue. Our superpower is connecting and attracting well-versed partners, all experienced entrepreneurs and investors.
Mastersfund is named for Sybilla Masters, an early 18th-century innovator in Philadelphia who invented a machine to pound corn into what we now call grits. She left her husband and four children in 1712 to seek a patent from King George III. It was the first patent awarded to anyone in the Colonies, but it was awarded to her husband. He insisted it be written “A patent awarded to thomas Masters for an invention found out by his wife Sybilla Righton Masters”. During the three-year wait for the patent, Sybilla Masters opened a millinery shop in London, where she invented a process for creating straw hats from palmetto leaves and cornered the market, and gaining a second patent for curing the Palmetto leaves. Sybilla made her husband a very wealthy man.
It takes both men and women to set things right, and both genders benefit when everyone is equally supported and rewarded in their efforts to build new and better products and processes. But for Thomas, Sybilla Masters, like so many women, would have been lost to history. For far too long, women and people of many diverse backgrounds have been intentionally excluded from the activities of invention, business, and the ownership and rewards of their own work. Mastersfund is chartered to source, fund, and champion diverse founding teams with at least one woman in a position of strategic and operational control.
It takes both men and women to set things right, and both genders benefit when everyone is equally supported and rewarded.
Mastersfund Managing Director Gillian Muessig encouraged Bahamian women yesterday to launch companies, get funded and to not shy away from becoming very wealthy. Read More »
Portland entrepreneur Jocelyn Quarrell is taking her knowhow from years of working in car and bike sharing and applying it to the emerging area of container reuse.
Over the past five months, Morgan Stanley’s Inclusive Ventures Lab has supported its eighth cohort of technology-enabled startups in the post-seed to Series A funding round stage, offering an intensive […]
Start-up Development, corporate growth, M&A. Co-founder and CEO of Outlines Venture Group, Active entrepreneur, co-founded both Moz and brettapproved. Global thought leader in diversity venture capital and early stage corporate governance. Worldwide speaker on financial benefits of gender lens investing, equity in entrepreneurship, emerging entrepreneurial markets and the impact of global trends on startup activity. Board director & advisor on four continents. Has helped thousands of companies to launch, grow, pivot and thrive. Tech advisor to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Founder & co-host of CEOcoach Podcast.
Start-up Development, corporate growth, M&A. Co-founder and CEO of Outlines Venture Group, Active entrepreneur, co-founded both Moz and brettapproved. Global thought leader in diversity venture capital and early stage corporate governance. Worldwide speaker on financial benefits of gender lens investing, equity in entrepreneurship, emerging entrepreneurial markets and the impact of global trends on startup activity. Board director & advisor on four continents. Has helped thousands of companies to launch, grow, pivot and thrive. Tech advisor to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Founder & co-host of CEOcoach Podcast.
Branding, marketing & global networking. Founder, entrepreneur, board director and advisor worldwide. Founding director of Helium.com, acquired by RR Donnelley and now the RRD Content Network. One of the earliest and most respected names in global digital marketing. Pioneer SEO, launched Zillow, Philips Lifeline, and other household names onto the web, building the world’s largest consortium of digital marketing agencies. Author of Global Search Marketing. Co-host & producer of CEOcoach podcast.
Branding, marketing & global networking. Founder, entrepreneur, board director and advisor worldwide. Founding director of Helium.com, acquired by RR Donnelley and now the RRD Content Network. One of the earliest and most respected names in global digital marketing. Pioneer SEO, launched Zillow, Philips Lifeline, and other household names onto the web, building the world’s largest consortium of digital marketing agencies. Author of Global Search Marketing. Co-host & producer of CEOcoach podcast.
Financial strategy & execution. Director of Finance (CFO) of Whistler BC, CEO Pique Financial Works, seasoned investor, advisor, board director, & tech entrepreneur. Extensive experience on Wall Street in fiduciary roles. Transitioned to Private Equity and Angel Investing in 2013, served as due diligence lead on many seed-stage deals, as well as Advisory Board member & interim CFO.
Financial strategy & execution. Director of Finance (CFO) of Whistler BC, CEO Pique Financial Works, seasoned investor, advisor, board director, & tech entrepreneur. Extensive experience on Wall Street in fiduciary roles. Transitioned to Private Equity and Angel Investing in 2013, served as due diligence lead on many seed-stage deals, as well as Advisory Board member & interim CFO.
Financial services & global corporate development. Global business leader and a recognized change agent, advising the Boards of innovative FinTech, software and consulting firms. Served as General Manager of the Worldwide Financial Services Sector at Microsoft, CEO of the advisory research firm TowerGroup, and senior executive at MasterCard, Gartner and IBM, opening new markets in Russia (then the Soviet Union) and China.
Financial services & global corporate development. Global business leader and a recognized change agent, advising the Boards of innovative FinTech, software and consulting firms. Served as General Manager of the Worldwide Financial Services Sector at Microsoft, CEO of the advisory research firm TowerGroup, and senior executive at MasterCard, Gartner and IBM, opening new markets in Russia (then the Soviet Union) and China.
VC startup deal maker since 2011. Managed investment process for three funds, sourcing thousands of companies. Led screening, due diligence, term negotiations, and accepted director seats. University of Michigan Data Engineer, University of Hawaii Researcher, US Air Force veteran. MBA University of Washington, MA Sociology from the University of Hawaii, Bachelors of Sociology at Hawaii Pacific University. Actively makes a positive difference fostering profitable businesses and technology.
VC startup deal maker since 2011. Managed investment process for three funds, sourcing thousands of companies. Led screening, due diligence, term negotiations, and accepted director seats. University of Michigan Data Engineer, University of Hawaii Researcher, US Air Force veteran. MBA University of Washington, MA Sociology from the University of Hawaii, Bachelors of Sociology at Hawaii Pacific University. Actively makes a positive difference fostering profitable businesses and technology.
Investor and lecturer on innovation and venture capital at Rice University Jones School of Business. Consultant on CFTC/SEC derivatives regulations for investment banks and energy/commodities firms. Fintech focus with Houston Angel Network. Venture Fellow at Laconia. MBA from Tulane University A.B. Freeman School of Business. BS in Finance and Banking from Hampton University. Graduate of VC University: Venture Finance certificate program by National Venture Capital Association and UC Berkeley Law.
Investor and lecturer on innovation and venture capital at Rice University Jones School of Business. Consultant on CFTC/SEC derivatives regulations for investment banks and energy/commodities firms. Fintech focus with Houston Angel Network. Venture Fellow at Laconia. MBA from Tulane University A.B. Freeman School of Business. BS in Finance and Banking from Hampton University. Graduate of VC University: Venture Finance certificate program by National Venture Capital Association and UC Berkeley Law.
Over 25 years led financial services, payment card, and emerging technologies for multinational corporations and e-business start-ups. Expert evaluation, implementation and management of new business initiatives. Pioneered shared ATM networks and PC banking at Citibank (1980s), led MasterCard’s worldwide entry into chip cards and mobile commerce (1990s), including launches throughout Asia-Pacific and Latin America. Headed BankOne’s embryonic prepaid card. Investor and advisor to multiple early stage start-ups.
Over 25 years led financial services, payment card, and emerging technologies for multinational corporations and e-business start-ups. Expert evaluation, implementation and management of new business initiatives. Pioneered shared ATM networks and PC banking at Citibank (1980s), led MasterCard’s worldwide entry into chip cards and mobile commerce (1990s), including launches throughout Asia-Pacific and Latin America. Headed BankOne’s embryonic prepaid card. Investor and advisor to multiple early stage start-ups.
Three decades of experience in business, science, technology. Long track record of successfully translating ambitious ideas into reality. Computer/data scientist, M.B.A. and M.S. in engineering from MIT. Led numerous multi-million dollar strategic programs, supported multi-billion dollar M&A diligences, founded, advised or diligenced over 100 startups, most recently, 2022 unicorn AirTerra, acquired by American Eagle Outfitter in 2021.
Three decades of experience in business, science, technology. Long track record of successfully translating ambitious ideas into reality. Computer/data scientist, M.B.A. and M.S. in engineering from MIT. Led numerous multi-million dollar strategic programs, supported multi-billion dollar M&A diligences, founded, advised or diligenced over 100 startups, most recently, 2022 unicorn AirTerra, acquired by American Eagle Outfitter in 2021.
CFA Charter holder, Master’s Degree in Financial Engineering from Kent State University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics from New York University. Seasoned in promoting capital access to entrepreneurs to build healthier economies. Vice President of Product at Lighter Capital, working with data and funding analytics for early stage companies. More than a decade of investment banking experience, in capital markets and structured products at BBVA and KeyBank.
CFA Charter holder, Master’s Degree in Financial Engineering from Kent State University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics from New York University. Seasoned in promoting capital access to entrepreneurs to build healthier economies. Vice President of Product at Lighter Capital, working with data and funding analytics for early stage companies. More than a decade of investment banking experience, in capital markets and structured products at BBVA and KeyBank.
20+ years of marketing and consulting experience helping teams thrive and companies gain a permanent edge through creative strategies, integrated tactics, and digital transformation. Career-wide strategy, marketing and transformation initiatives for brands American Express, Chapstick, Diageo, and Sanofi Pasteur, JP Morgan Chase, Citi and Medco. Recognized female advocate. Lehigh University BA in Environmental Science. International MBA from Temple University’s Fox School of Business.
20+ years of marketing and consulting experience helping teams thrive and companies gain a permanent edge through creative strategies, integrated tactics, and digital transformation. Career-wide strategy, marketing and transformation initiatives for brands American Express, Chapstick, Diageo, and Sanofi Pasteur, JP Morgan Chase, Citi and Medco. Recognized female advocate. Lehigh University BA in Environmental Science. International MBA from Temple University’s Fox School of Business.
30 years of experience in CFO/advisory services to early-stage startup founders, for a compelling, financially based rationale for growing their businesses, building custom scale-up forecasting models, capital structure analyses, market size assessments, pitch review and other strategic services, as well as coaching on financial literacy. A both sell and buy side equity analyst JP Morgan and Oppeheimer. MBA from Stanford University and BA from Colgate University.
30 years of experience in CFO/advisory services to early-stage startup founders, for a compelling, financially based rationale for growing their businesses, building custom scale-up forecasting models, capital structure analyses, market size assessments, pitch review and other strategic services, as well as coaching on financial literacy. A both sell and buy side equity analyst JP Morgan and Oppeheimer. MBA from Stanford University and BA from Colgate University.
20+ years cumulatively serving on Boards of private tech and finance companies, 15+ years speaking at conferences and publishing in journals related to family offices, academic research, education, and finance, and 10+ years running his family office. Operates at the intersection of finance, psychology, and technology. Seamlessly combines being an award-winning engineer, researcher, teacher, and storyteller who has contributed to the birth of three fields of academic research (education, nanomaterials, AI & philosophy) with being a founder, fund manager, and strategic advisor across multiple fields of technological and financial innovation.
20+ years cumulatively serving on Boards of private tech and finance companies, 15+ years speaking at conferences and publishing in journals related to family offices, academic research, education, and finance, and 10+ years running his family office. Operates at the intersection of finance, psychology, and technology. Seamlessly combines being an award-winning engineer, researcher, teacher, and storyteller who has contributed to the birth of three fields of academic research (education, nanomaterials, AI & philosophy) with being a founder, fund manager, and strategic advisor across multiple fields of technological and financial innovation.
Longtime board/strategic advisor to organizations, private family offices, and asset allocators on asset allocation for sustainable investing models and inclusive capital. Founding member of the Silicon Valley Blockchain Society. SDG Impact Circle Fellow. Fellowships, board seats, and research appointments at UC Berkeley and the University of Cambridge. Recognized for work on FinTech, alternative finance, and crowd innovation. Advisor to large funds, major international foundations, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Rockefeller Foundation, Fortune 50 companies, the World Bank, national governments.
Longtime board/strategic advisor to organizations, private family offices, and asset allocators on asset allocation for sustainable investing models and inclusive capital. Founding member of the Silicon Valley Blockchain Society. SDG Impact Circle Fellow. Fellowships, board seats, and research appointments at UC Berkeley and the University of Cambridge. Recognized for work on FinTech, alternative finance, and crowd innovation. Advisor to large funds, major international foundations, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Rockefeller Foundation, Fortune 50 companies, the World Bank, national governments.
