Martin Mulvihill
Managing Partner at Safer Made
Martin Mulvihill
Managing Partner at Safer Made
San Francisco Bay Area
Overview
Work Experience
Managing Partner and co-founder
2016 - Current
Safer Made invests in companies and technologies that reduce people’s exposure to toxic chemicals and are driven by people's demand for safer products. As the founder of Safer Made, a seed-stage venture capital fund investing in companies that eliminate the use of harmful chemicals, led fund development, deal due diligence, and public communication, making investments in teams with the potential to change their sectors and protect human health and the environment. Results include: -Established and maintained partnerships with brands and retailers that lead their sector in safety and sustainability across the apparel, packaged goods, building products, chemical and formulated products industries, providing market insights, deal flow, and investment for the fund. -Identified and attracted limited partners including environmental health foundations, high net worth individuals, family offices, and Target Corporation. -Evaluated startups from the US, Europe, and Israel, analyzed business plans, modeled financial returns, and conducted technical due diligence. -Produced detailed investment memos, sector analyses, and reports highlighting safer chemistry, informing sector wide innovation agendas and raising Safer Made’s profile. -Managed public communication and social media channels including Safer Made’s website, Twitter, LinkedIn, and newsletter, resulting in brand recognition for Safer Made within the impact investment community.
Board Observer
2021
I work with Defunkify's management team to identify funding and technologies that support their mission to make the best performing and safest laundry detergent. From plastic reduction to formulations that do not harm people or the planet, I am proud to help Defunkify succeed.
Board Observer
2021
I work with the management team to identify partnership and funding opportunities that will support the adoption of GTT's safer fabric finishing technologies, including PFAS-free DWR, waterless dyeing, halogen-free flame retardants, and odor control.
Board Observer
2020
I work with the company's management and R&D teams to identify resources and opportunities that support the company's mission to eliminate plastic waste from personal care products and hotel amenities.
Board Member
2019
I work with company management to navigate the EPA registration process for their repellent product. Advise on chemistry and formulation matters for the product development pipeline. Assist with company strategy and fundraising.
Senior Advisor and Board Member
2016
-Design chemicals and materials that are safe and sustainable for human and environmental health -Advise research projects related to the design and scaling of green chemistry technology -Provide strategic guidance to the center
Executive Director
2010 - 2016
As one of the founding members of the UC Berkeley Center for Green Chemistry and its first Executive Director, led fundraising efforts, managed projects, created interdisciplinary programs, and defined the research agenda. Results include: -Coordinated diverse faculty from five departments to craft an inclusive vision for research, outreach, and education, creating a successful academic center with over 50 faculty members, diversified financial support including a dedicated NSF training grant, and international recognition. -Managed media and outreach across web, print, and social platforms to develop deep off-campus networks and recognition in news outlets including: the LA Times, NPR, OnEarth Magazine, Al Jazeera English, Mother Jones, and the documentary “The Human Experiment,” narrated by Sean Penn. -Created the Greener Solutions Program that partnered with Hewlett Packard, Autodesk, Levis, Patagonia, W.L. Gore, California EPA, and others to eliminate hazardous chemicals in products and supply chains, resulting in new revenue streams for the center, new research at the university, and job opportunities for graduates. -Led the reorganization of the undergraduate chemistry major to incorporate the principles of green chemistry, reaching over 2,500 students every semester and catalyzing a $5 million renovation of undergraduate laboratories.
Board Observer
2017 - 2021
I provided input and connections to the management team. Helped with sustainability reporting and life cycle assessment. Provided insights for regarding plastic resin alternatives, additives, and processing. Helped with pulping chemistry, formulation and additives to improve the performance of the molded fiber shells without the use of hazardous or PFAS type chemistry. Ecologic was acquired by Jabil in January 2021.
Co-Founder
2014 - 2016
Created a computational platform for the discovery of inherently safer, biobased chemicals to replace chemicals of concern. Results include: -Secured a $500,000 NSF grant to develop the core platform that identified preferable chemicals using empirical and statistical methods to build complex predictive models of chemical property space. -Partnered with UC Berkeley Energy Biosciences Institute, 20n, and Solyzme to test and validate the creation of 3 new classes of safer plasticizers and the USDA and Method to analyze 10-20 safer preservatives for formulated products with the potential to eliminate the need for harmful parabens and isothiazolinone preservatives, resulting in ongoing research collaboration between UC Berkeley and the USDA labs.
Independent Consultant
2009 - 2016
Delivered in depth analyses of green chemistry technologies for businesses, retailers, brands, and government agencies. Results include: -Developed executive green chemistry training, reaching more than 100 chemistry professionals and generating revenue and continued engagement. -Conducting landscape analyses and innovation planning based on the principles of biomimicry and green chemistry for corporate partners in the formulated product, furniture, and apparel sectors, resulting in new chemicals policies and product launches at major brands and retailers.
Postdoctoral Fellow in the Molecular Foundry
2009 - 2010
Working with the staff and users of the Molecular Foundry, provide multifunctional technical expertise and support in materials chemistry synthesis, nanoparticle synthesis, surface modification, surface analysis, and materials characterization. Using these skills collaborative projects will be established and completed in the development of fate and transport models for nanoparticles in the environment. Independent projects will be executed using novel chemical synthesis techniques for the development of new nanomaterials which further fundamental understanding of growth mechanisms and interactions taking place between small molecules and inorganic structures. Additionally, further development of these hybrid materials will be directed toward applications in renewable energy and environmental remediation.