Client Type:
Venture Capital–Backed Social Impact Initiative (Launched by Kapor Capital)
Scope of Work:
Startup Ecosystem Building · Government Partnerships · Investor Strategy · Digital Launch · Business Development
Context & Challenge
Tech innovation often overlooks the communities most impacted by systemic inequities. The Upside Tech Alliance was created to change that. Founded by Kapor Capital, the Alliance was designed to connect primarily women and BIPOC-led Series A & B startups—like Promise Pay, BlocPower, and Aclima—with public agencies, cities, and civic partners eager to deploy real-world solutions at scale.
The challenge? Translate a bold idea into a national platform—while building the narrative, operational systems, and external trust necessary to support its growth.
My Role
Founding Team Member · Strategic Operator · Ecosystem Builder
- Supported the launch and national expansion of the Upside Tech Alliance from pilot stage to active national initiative
- Led key pieces of grant writing, pitch refinement, and investor-facing communications
- Conducted market and policy research to align founder impact with civic and agency needs (housing, climate, broadband, data equity)
- Developed internal operations and business development systems to support founder readiness and public-sector procurement pathways
- Managed website troubleshooting and coordination of soft and hard launches, ensuring a polished digital experience aligned with messaging goals
- Oversaw stakeholder relationship management and helped set strategic business development targets, identifying government and philanthropic partners with aligned values
- Served as a connective bridge between startups, funders, and public sector leaders, creating the infrastructure to scale responsibly and equitably
Tools & Strategies Used
| Tool/Platform | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Pitch Deck Development | Communicate value to funders and public officials |
| Grant Narratives | Secure mission-aligned philanthropic support |
| HubSpot / Airtable | Track business development and partner engagement |
| WordPress / Webflow | Coordinate soft and hard website launch + real-time troubleshooting |
| Google Suite | Collaboration across communications, ops, and narrative drafting |
| Policy & Market Scans | Identify opportunity zones for civic-tech partnerships |
Outcomes & Impact
| Milestone | Result |
|---|---|
| Pilot scaled to national launch | Alliance expanded across multiple U.S. cities |
| Series A/B startups matched with governments | Companies like Promise and BlocPower secured real-world pilots |
| Website successfully launched | Clear digital storytelling and frictionless partner access |
| Strategic BD targets defined | Aligned funder and agency engagement streamlined through CRM use |
| Narrative and ops alignment | Strengthened founder/investor/government ecosystem collaboration |
Why It Matters
The Upside Tech Alliance wasn’t just about helping startups grow, it was about shifting who gets to build the future. By creating a platform for underrepresented founders to plug into public-sector systems and storytelling infrastructure, we helped redefine “tech for public good.” From narrative design to systems architecture to relationship-building, this work reflected a deep commitment to equity, scale, and impact.
Azul Cortez 