SCHEDULE: Butterfly Network Founder Sells $8M in Class A Stock
Ownership Amendment
Jonathan M. Rothberg, founder of Butterfly Network, Inc., and related entities sold over 2.5 million shares of Class A common stock for approximately $8 million in December 2025 as part of an estate planning 10b5-1 plan.
Summary
- Jonathan M. Rothberg, Ph.D., founder of Butterfly Network, Inc., and associated entities filed an Amendment No. 8 to their Schedule 13D.
- The filing details the sale of 2,539,052 shares of Class A common stock between December 4, 2025, and December 16, 2025.
- These sales were executed under a Rule 10b5-1 trading plan, established on March 5, 2025, for estate planning purposes.
- The total value of the Class A common stock sold is approximately $8,026,000, based on weighted average prices ranging from $3.0744 to $3.2727 per share.
- Following these transactions, Dr. Rothberg beneficially owns 4,750,704 shares of Class A common stock, representing 2.1% of the outstanding Class A shares.
- Dr. Rothberg also beneficially owns 26,426,937 shares of Class B common stock, representing 100% of the outstanding Class B shares, primarily through 4C Holdings I-V, LLCs and trusts for his children.
Sentiment
Score: 4
Explanation: The sentiment is slightly negative due to significant insider selling by the founder. While the sales are attributed to estate planning and a 10b5-1 plan, which mitigates some of the negative implications, large insider sales can still be perceived as a bearish signal by investors.
Negatives
- Significant insider selling by the company's founder, even if pre-planned, can be perceived negatively by the market and may signal a lack of confidence or a desire to diversify holdings.
Risks
- The market's interpretation of substantial insider selling could lead to downward pressure on the company's stock price.
Future Outlook
The filing does not contain any forward-looking statements or guidance regarding the company's future performance or strategic direction.
Industry Context
This filing primarily concerns insider ownership changes and does not provide specific details on broader industry trends or competitive landscape.
Related Party Transactions
- Jonathan M. Rothberg, Ph.D., the founder, and entities associated with him (4C Holdings I-V, LLCs, and trusts for his children) are considered related parties. The reported sales of Class A common stock by these parties constitute related party transactions.
Stakeholder Impact
- Shareholders may view the significant insider selling by the founder as a negative indicator, potentially leading to decreased investor confidence and downward pressure on the stock price.
- Employees, customers, suppliers, and creditors are unlikely to be directly impacted by this ownership change, though a decline in stock price could indirectly affect employee stock options or overall company morale.
Key Dates
| Date | Description |
|---|---|
| February 22, 2021 | Original Schedule 13D filing date. |
| March 26, 2021 | Amendment No. 1 filed. |
| March 28, 2022 | Amendment No. 2 filed. |
| September 16, 2022 | Amendment No. 3 filed. |
| September 13, 2023 | Amendment No. 4 filed. |
| August 30, 2024 | Amendment No. 5 filed. |
| March 5, 2025 | Date Rule 10b5-1 trading plan was entered into by Reporting Persons. |
| March 7, 2025 | Amendment No. 6 filed. |
| October 21, 2025 | Date for which outstanding share counts of Class A (226,175,175) and Class B (26,426,937) common stock were reported. |
| December 1, 2025 | Amendment No. 7 filed. |
| December 4, 2025 | Sale of 64,198 shares of Class A common stock at $3.076 per share. |
| December 5, 2025 | Sale of 37,598 shares of Class A common stock at $3.0744 per share. |
| December 8, 2025 | Sale of 769,327 shares of Class A common stock at $3.2727 per share. |
| December 9, 2025 | Sale of 176,070 shares of Class A common stock at $3.1054 per share. |
| December 10, 2025 | Sale of 288,918 shares of Class A common stock at $3.1332 per share. |
| December 11, 2025 | Sale of 123,354 shares of Class A common stock at $3.0816 per share. |
| December 12, 2025 | Sale of 193,293 shares of Class A common stock at $3.0804 per share. |
| December 15, 2025 | Sale of 601,308 shares of Class A common stock at $3.1642 per share. |
| December 16, 2025 | Sale of 284,986 shares of Class A common stock at $3.1364 per share; Date of event requiring this filing. |
| December 17, 2025 | Signature date for Amendment No. 8. |
Recommendation
holdThe significant sale of Class A common stock by founder Jonathan M. Rothberg and related entities, totaling approximately $8 million, could be viewed negatively by the market. However, the sales were conducted under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan for estate planning purposes, which mitigates the immediate negative signal compared to unplanned sales. Investors should monitor future insider activity and company performance, but this specific filing does not provide a strong basis for a 'buy' or 'sell' recommendation beyond a cautious 'hold' given the context.
Keywords
Butterfly Network, Jonathan Rothberg, Insider Selling, Schedule 13D/A, Class A Common Stock, Class B Common Stock, Stock Sales, Estate Planning, 10b5-1 Plan, Medical Devices, Ultrasound
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