Shein, Bill v. Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (SPR 20261230)

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Public Records Division Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records April 16, 2026 SPR26/1230 Jennifer M. Saubermann General Counsel & Records Access Officer Massachusetts Technology Collaborative 75 North Drive Westborough, MA 01581 Dear Ms. Saubermann: I have received the petition of Bill Shein, of The RGM Dispatch, appealing the response of the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (Collaborative) to a request for public records. See G. L. c. 66, § 10A; see also 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). On January 6, 2026, Mr. Shein requested the following: [C]opies of public records related to grants awarded by the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (including its divisions, programs, and affiliated initiatives) to Lever, Inc. (including any d/b/a or branded initiatives such as the Massachusetts Founders Network), as below: Requested Records: For each grant, award, or funding agreement between MassTech and Lever, Inc., including but not limited to: 1. the Massachusetts COVID-19 Intrapreneur Challenge (circa 2020), 2. the 2022 Strong Entrepreneur Ecosystems grant supporting development of the Massachusetts Founders Network (“MFN”), 3. the Innovation Institute grant of $200,000 to “design and launch the Massachusetts Founders Network,” and 4. the 2024 Technology and Innovation Ecosystem Award of $400,022 for expansion of the Massachusetts Founders Network, . . . Grant applications and proposals 1. All submitted applications, proposals, statements of work, budgets, and supporting materials including letters of support 2. Grant award letters, approval memoranda, board or committee vote materials, and any conditions of award 3. Fully executed grant agreements, contracts, amendments, extensions, or modifications. One Ashburton Place, Room 1719, Boston, Massachusetts 02108 • (617) 727-2832 • Fax: (617) 727-5914 sec.state.ma.us/pre • pre@sec.state.ma.us

Jennifer Saubermann, Esq. SPR26/1230 Page 2 April 16, 2026 Grant reporting, deliverables, and payments 1. Interim and final reports, performance metrics, progress updates, deliverables, and compliance certifications submitted by Lever, Inc. 2. Invoices, reimbursement requests, payment vouchers, disbursement records, and payment schedules, including dates and amounts paid. Correspondence related to the grants 1. Communications between MassTech staff and Lever, Inc. concerning grant negotiation, administration, performance, reporting, payments, or compliance. Scope and Format Timeframe: January 1, 2018 to present Format: Electronic records, PDF preferred Search terms (non-exclusive): “Lever,” “Lever, Inc.,” “Massachusetts Founders Network,” “MFN,” “Intrapreneur Challenge,” “challenge grant” The Collaborative provided numerous responses from January 15, through March 26, 2026. Unsatisfied with the Collaborative’s responses, Mr. Shein petitioned this office, and this appeal, SPR26/1230, was opened as a result. Subsequent to the opening of this appeal, I learned that the Collaborative provided a supplemental response by email to Mr. Shein and this office on April 10, 2026. As this appeal was opened based on the Collaborative’s previous responses, I will now consider this administrative appeal closed. If unresolved issues remain, Mr. Shein may further appeal the substantive nature of the Collaborative’s April 10th response within ninety (90) days. See 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). Sincerely, Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records cc: Bill Shein