Ben Marcus

Co-Founder & Managing Partner

2020 - Current

UP.Partners is the preferred capital partner for entrepreneurs, investors, and corporations that have a shared interest in Transforming the Moving World, by building and investing in technologies that help move people and goods cleaner, faster, safer, and at lower cost - on the ground, air, sea, and space. 30% of global CO2 emissions are directly attributable to transportation. Transportation is the underlying fabric of society and as a whole represents a $10T global market. Every facet of transportation is being disrupted by the convergence of exponential technologies that will allow us to achieve our collective mission of Transforming the Moving World.

Co-Founder

2015 - 2021

AirMap created the category of digital, automated air traffic management, starting with drones. AirMap built the enabling infrastructure for safe, efficient, highly-automated flights at scale. As founding CEO from January 2015 to March 2018, I led the team that created the technology, established global standards, and forged partnerships with great companies including Microsoft, Qualcomm, Sony, Airbus, Rakuten, and many others. AirMap was acquired by DroneUp in November 2021.

Co-Founder & CEO

2006 - 2014

jetAVIVA is the world's leading light jet remarketing company. My best friend Cyrus Sigari and I started the company in 2006. To date, our team has sold more than $1B worth of airplanes and helped more than 300 pilots transition from propeller aircraft to jets. Additionally, we developed the standard for light jet factory acceptance inspection procedures, familiarization training, companion "pinch-hitter" training, and upset recovery training. We also co-founded many aircraft type-specific clubs such as the Eclipse 500 Owners Club, Citation Jet Pilots, and the Phenom Jet Association.

Flight Test Engineer

2005 - 2006

Aircraft systems and propulsion development and certification testing. In this role, I was responsible for developing test plans, executing the tests in-flight, and reporting the results to cognizant engineers.

Aircraft Sales

2004 - 2005

I was the first salesman at Eclipse dedicated to the owner-operator market, selling the revolutionary Eclipse 500 very light jet.

Aircraft Sales

2003 - 2004

Flight Instructor

2000 - 2001