About C10 Labs

C10 Labs is an AI venture fund based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, focused on investing in and building early-stage AI companies across enterprise software, healthcare, life sciences, energy, climate, manufacturing, and scientific discovery.

Beyond providing capital, C10 Labs works alongside founders to help refine products, develop commercial strategies, establish strategic partnerships, raise funding, and scale their businesses.

The Role

C10 Labs is seeking an Operating Partner to help expand its network of corporate partners, founders, investors, and technology leaders.

This executive leadership role focuses on building strategic relationships that accelerate the growth of portfolio companies by creating commercial opportunities, enterprise partnerships, customer introductions, and long-term ecosystem development.

The successful candidate will work closely with C10 Labs' leadership team while serving as a trusted connector across the AI startup ecosystem.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Partnerships

• Build relationships with executives across technology companies, enterprise organizations, and innovation teams.
• Develop long-term partnerships that strengthen the C10 Labs ecosystem.
• Identify organizations that can become strategic collaborators, customers, or commercial partners.
• Expand C10 Labs' network of corporate relationships.

Founder & Portfolio Support

• Introduce portfolio companies to prospective enterprise customers and strategic partners.
• Connect founders with corporate decision-makers and innovation leaders.
• Help create pilot opportunities, commercial partnerships, and customer relationships.
• Advise founders on enterprise sales and partnership development.

Ecosystem Development

• Represent C10 Labs at industry conferences, networking events, and innovation communities.
• Develop relationships with venture capital firms, corporate venture groups, accelerators, universities, and research organizations.
• Help attract founders, mentors, operators, investors, and strategic partners to the platform.

Strategic Advisory

• Advise leadership on industry trends and emerging partnership opportunities.
• Identify new markets and ecosystem expansion opportunities.
• Support long-term network development and strategic positioning.
• Contribute to strengthening C10 Labs' reputation within the AI startup ecosystem.

Qualifications

Required Experience

• Executive leadership experience in Strategic Partnerships, Corporate Development, Business Development, Corporate Innovation, Venture Capital, Enterprise Software, or related fields.
• Demonstrated success building executive-level relationships and strategic partnerships.
• Strong network across technology companies, startups, enterprise organizations, investors, or innovation ecosystems.
• Proven ability to create commercial opportunities through relationship development.
• Excellent executive communication, stakeholder management, and business development skills.
• Passion for supporting founders and early-stage technology companies.

Preferred Experience

• Former startup founder or executive.
• Experience in Corporate Venture Capital or venture-backed startups.
• Background in enterprise sales or strategic partnerships.
• Experience supporting AI, enterprise software, or emerging technology companies.
• Established network across founders, investors, enterprise customers, and innovation leaders.

Compensation & Benefits

• Equity participation in C10 Labs
• Opportunity to participate in portfolio ventures you help launch or support
• Potential eligibility for GP carry and other long-term incentive structures
• Flexible remote engagement
• Opportunity to work closely with founders, investors, researchers, and enterprise executives
• Significant influence on the growth of AI startups and the broader innovation ecosystem

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