Ben Marcus
Managing Partner at UP Partners
Santa Monica, California
Overview
Work Experience
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.
UP Partners is an early stage venture capital fund dedicated to supporting companies that are 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.
Eclipse markets, produces, and delivers the eclipse aerospace line of aircraft.
Aircraft Sales
2003 - 2004
Flight Instructor
2000 - 2001
Education
B.S.
2000 - 2002