-
Overview
-
Leadership Profile
-
Funding Preferences
-
Nomination Process
<
>
Overview
We believe there are extraordinary leaders capable of transforming an entire field, and funding is often the only thing stopping them from pursuing it.
They may be looking to embark on a new chapter in their career and/or to shift into a new sector. They may be working across or at the intersection of disciplines or fields. Their idea may not fit easily into a defined program area, or it may be perceived as too risky.
UP would like to step in to be the first – or, one of the first – backers, believers or funders in the leader and their transformative idea.
We believe there are extraordinary leaders capable of transforming an entire field, and funding is often the only thing stopping them from pursuing it.
They may be looking to embark on a new chapter in their career and/or to shift into a new sector. They may be working across or at the intersection of disciplines or fields. Their idea may not fit easily into a defined program area, or it may be perceived as too risky.
UP would like to step in to be the first – or, one of the first – backers, believers or funders in the leader and their transformative idea.
Leadership Profile
We have witnessed the magic of combining early, flexible funding with a powerful entrepreneurial drive to do good in the world. Sometimes the specifics of the idea or effort change, but we have seen how a dedicated and creative leader can surpass all expectations to achieve outsized impact.
We believe such leaders are likely to possess the following qualities:
Unique vision for alleviating suffering in the world: We are agnostic as to the issue, sector, or geography being addressed; our guiding principle is to support individuals with outsized ambition, passion, and commitment to achieving transformational social change. Their idea could create a new solution, define a new market, or ideally do both; they may demonstrate a new paradigm, challenge prevailing narratives or assumptions, or have the potential to shift or redirect a field or sector. It is likely that such transformational leaders are working across or at the intersection of disciplines or fields.
Strong entrepreneurial nature: While this person may come from academia or have a research background, we would like to direct our funding toward someone dedicated to transforming their ideas into reality -- someone with a big vision, along with the commitment and skills to make it happen. The leader should have the capability to mobilize other partners and funders to get involved once they are able to more fully explore and demonstrate their vision.
Grit and tenacity: It’s not necessary that this person has a long track-record of success, but instead the tenacity and drive to achieve their ambitious goals. Beyond academic or professional pedigree, we value grit, persistence, and creativity. Our goal is to prioritize people that have proximity to the issues and communities in which they are working.
Full-time focus on a singular goal: We would like to identify individuals that are seeking to dedicate themselves full-time to a singular effort. They may currently be pursuing this work in a professional capacity and are looking to embark on a new chapter in their career, or have a personal passion to which they would like to dedicate themselves more fully. We recognize that accomplished innovators and big thinkers may be involved in a variety of efforts and, in this case, we would expect them to be mobilizing a full-time leader or team dedicated to the effort.
We have witnessed the magic of combining early, flexible funding with a powerful entrepreneurial drive to do good in the world. Sometimes the specifics of the idea or effort change, but we have seen how a dedicated and creative leader can surpass all expectations to achieve outsized impact.
We believe such leaders are likely to possess the following qualities:
Unique vision for alleviating suffering in the world: We are agnostic as to the issue, sector, or geography being addressed; our guiding principle is to support individuals with outsized ambition, passion, and commitment to achieving transformational social change. Their idea could create a new solution, define a new market, or ideally do both; they may demonstrate a new paradigm, challenge prevailing narratives or assumptions, or have the potential to shift or redirect a field or sector. It is likely that such transformational leaders are working across or at the intersection of disciplines or fields.
Strong entrepreneurial nature: While this person may come from academia or have a research background, we would like to direct our funding toward someone dedicated to transforming their ideas into reality -- someone with a big vision, along with the commitment and skills to make it happen. The leader should have the capability to mobilize other partners and funders to get involved once they are able to more fully explore and demonstrate their vision.
Grit and tenacity: It’s not necessary that this person has a long track-record of success, but instead the tenacity and drive to achieve their ambitious goals. Beyond academic or professional pedigree, we value grit, persistence, and creativity. Our goal is to prioritize people that have proximity to the issues and communities in which they are working.
Full-time focus on a singular goal: We would like to identify individuals that are seeking to dedicate themselves full-time to a singular effort. They may currently be pursuing this work in a professional capacity and are looking to embark on a new chapter in their career, or have a personal passion to which they would like to dedicate themselves more fully. We recognize that accomplished innovators and big thinkers may be involved in a variety of efforts and, in this case, we would expect them to be mobilizing a full-time leader or team dedicated to the effort.
Funding Preferences
Our funding preferences and considerations include:
Our funding preferences and considerations include:
- Providing catalytic funding for a new effort, rather than incremental support of an existing venture or a new program of an established organization.
- Supporting leaders for whom funding is the gating item to unleash their focus on an effort that they otherwise might not pursue.
- Supporting an extraordinary leader at the moment when an idea moves to action.
- Stepping in to be the first, or one of the first, backers, believers or funders in a person and their idea.
- Supporting leaders in emerging fields that are not yet defined program areas, or are perceived as too risky -- and thus less likely to be initially funded by traditional funders.
- Providing funding at a stage where seed grants of $250-500k are sufficient to jumpstart the effort.
Nomination Process
Rather than asking individuals to apply on their own behalf, we are seeking nominations from our network of advisors and scouts. If you would like to nominate someone, you can simply email us at [email protected] with their name and a short description of why you are nominating this person.
Rather than asking individuals to apply on their own behalf, we are seeking nominations from our network of advisors and scouts. If you would like to nominate someone, you can simply email us at [email protected] with their name and a short description of why you are nominating this person.