CEO-in-Residence - Industrial Tech Portfolio

uplabs; Santa Monica (CA); On-site; USD 200,000 - 350,000; Full time

Job summary

UP.Labs seeks a Founding CEO to build and scale an industrial software company from day one, partnering with a leading manufacturer. You will lead two vertical AI startups, recruit a world-class team, and drive strategy, product, and GTM with urgency and grit.

You’ll raise capital, nurture enterprise relationships, and guide the company toward an exit in 3–4 years, backed by equity and UP.Labs resources.

Qualifications

• Must have founded or scaled a B2B SaaS or data platform in manufacturing, industrial, logistics or supply chain.
• Proven ability to close enterprise customers and build long-term relationships.
• Experience building or leading AI/ML-enabled software products.

Responsibilities

• Own and drive strategy, operations, and execution—P&L, GTM, and beyond.
• Recruit and lead a top-tier team across engineering, product, and sales.
• Translate complex supply chain and logistics problems into world-class software.
• Build deep partnerships with customers and corporate partners.

Skills

Founded or scaled a B2B SaaS or data

Enterprise sales

AI/ML platforms

Leadership experience

Job description

Founding CEO: Lead the Next Breakthrough in Industrial Tech with UP.Labs

If you've built and exited a successful Industrial SaaS, Smart Manufacturing or data-driven company—and are eager to do it again—this is your moment to found something game-changing that includes structural advantages beyond the dreams of most startups.

We're looking for a CEO to build and scale an industrial software company from day one, in partnership with our corporate partner, a leading manufacturer of trailers, truck bodies, and parts.

This is a rare opportunity to lead a venture that starts with:

• A real industry problem with immediate, measurable value
• A committed enterprise customer base
• Capital from tier-one VCs (with flexibility to bring your own backers)
• Full founder equity and support from the UP.Labs platform

Why Build With UP.Labs

• Enterprise traction from day one. You will be joining a startup team, with a product already in pilot/market, being built by an UP.Labs team of product, GTM and engineering leaders. You’re solving a problem validated by our corporate partner and the broader ecosystem.
• Accelerated path to exit. Our portfolio companies are structured to scale fast with capital efficiency—targeting liquidity in 3–4 years.
• Founder-level equity. A competitive base salary and a meaningful ownership stake from day one.
• Backed by the best. Work alongside institutional investors, UP.Partners, and top corporate LPs.
• World-class infrastructure. Tap into product, engineering, legal, recruiting, and GTM support from the UP.Labs operating team.

What You’ll Build

You’ll lead one of two vertical AI startups (based on final match and interest), each of which is already in motion. There will be an ‘in-residence’ component where you will help shape the opportunity with the ‘problem-hunting’ team as you transition into the CEO role.

• Transforming custom sales in manufacturing starting with intelligent CPQ (configure, price, quote)
• Aftermarket parts - predicting demand, automating fulfillment, and eliminating downtime.

Your Role

You’ll serve as founding CEO—setting the direction, building the team, and owning outcomes. This is a hands‑on role for someone who can go from zero to scale with urgency, clarity, and grit.

Responsibilities:

• Own and drive strategy, operations, and execution—P&L, GTM, and beyond
• Recruit and lead a top‑tier team across engineering, product, and sales
• Translate complex supply chain and logistics problems into world‑class software
• Build deep partnerships with customers, particularly inside the corporate partner ecosystem
• Partner with UP.Labs product and venture teams to unlock value quickly and intentionally
• Raise capital, drive growth, and lead the company to exit

You Might Be a Fit If You’ve:

• Founded or scaled a B2B SaaS or data platform, ideally with a manufacturing, industrial, logistics or supply chain focus
• Sold into or worked with complex enterprises (OEMs, distribution, or partner networks)
• Built AI/ML-enabled platforms or have a sharp eye for building defensible data moats
• Closed enterprise customers and maintained long‑term commercial relationships
• Led a company through Series A+ or to a successful exit
• Built and inspired exceptional, diverse teams under pressure

Location: Major Metro Preferred