UP.Abundance Venture Platform Lead: Portfolio and Ecosystem

UP.Abundance is a venture capital fund investing in frontier technology companies.

Our model is simple: we invest in great companies and actively help them win—by turning New Mexico into a competitive advantage.

Powered by UP.Partners, a globally recognized venture firm, and as a key manager within the $2B New Mexico State Investment Council (NMSIC) Strategic Venture Capital Program, we are uniquely positioned to help companies unlock real advantages by building and operating in New Mexico.

We are looking for our first hire to help scale this capability.

You will work directly with the founders of UP.Abundance, the broader UP.Partners team, and startup leaders to increase the likelihood and magnitude of what our companies build or operate in New Mexico—whether that’s going from 0→1 or 1→10.

This is one of the more value-added features I’ve seen in venture capital…I’m shocked you don’t see more of this. It makes our partnership with you a no-brainer. — UP.Abundance Portfolio Company, $40M+ Series B

Role Overview

As Venture Platform Lead, you will own the experience of our portfolio companies—from pre-investment through scale—and ensure they fully leverage New Mexico’s technical, industrial, and governmental ecosystem.

This role sits at the center of how we win: turning New Mexico into a competitive advantage for startups—and a “right to win” in competitive venture deals.

You will act as a builder, connector, and operator—unlocking partnerships, funding, customers, and infrastructure that accelerate company outcomes.

You will work closely with Brian and David, the founders of UP.Abundance, taking on and scaling the work they have been doing—developing partnerships, unlocking opportunities, and navigating the ecosystem—and making it more consistent, repeatable, and impactful across the portfolio.

Pre-Investment

Before investment, you will help make New Mexico a compelling place for companies to build by:

• Connecting founders to potential partners/customers; including but not limited to National labs, government and regulatory agencies, military bases, utilities, companies, academic institutions, and real estate/infrastructure partners
• Unlocking paths to non-dilutive funding (grants, incentives, pilots)
• Navigating state-specific dynamics (permitting, GRT, regulatory pathways)
• Building early partnerships that demonstrate real traction

This is also a key part of our investment process—we evaluate how companies engage with these opportunities as a signal of conviction.

Post-Investment

After we invest, you will:

• Generate partnerships, pilots, customers, and funding
• Help companies navigate government, regulatory, and infrastructure complexity
• Deliver high-value opportunities “on a silver platter”

Your role is to act as a centralized engine of opportunity creation across our portfolio.

Key Responsibilities

• Drive UP.Abundance’s “right to win” in competitive venture deals by creating tangible New Mexico-based advantages for companies during diligence
• Identify and deliver high-impact opportunities across partnerships, customers, infrastructure, and funding
• Expand and activate a network across:

• Industry (utilities, energy, aerospace, manufacturing, mining)
• Academic institutions and workforce programs
• Real estate, infrastructure, and economic development partners

• Help companies win and execute on opportunities that would not happen without your involvement
• Support sourcing and diligence by proactively creating real opportunities pre-investment (e.g., partnerships, funding pathways, customers)
• Build systems and processes to scale this across the portfolio

What We’re Looking For

• Deep, existing NM network with a track record of turning relationships into outcomes
• Proven ability to get complex things done across government, labs, and industry
• Ability to originate and close opportunities—not just make introductions
• Experience working with startups or operators in fast-moving environments
• Strong understanding of incentives, grants, and public-private dynamics
• High ownership, low ego, and ability to operate without a playbook
• Experience building or operating within a venture platform, startup, or ecosystem organization
• Background in energy, climate, deep tech, aerospace, or industrial sectors

What Sets Top Candidates Apart

• You are already one of the most connected people in New Mexico across organizations that matter
• You can point to specific outcomes you made happen (funding, partnerships, projects, customers)
• You know who to call—and can make things happen quickly
• You are comfortable doing real work during diligence to help win deals
• You’ve helped companies achieve outcomes that would not have happened without you

Total compensation will be commensurate with experience and qualifications.

If you’re one of the few people in New Mexico who can actually do this job—you’ll know.