Program Manager, Louisiana BRIDGE

About Activate Activate is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to turning scientific discoveries into real-world impact. Through partnerships with government, philanthropy, universities, and industry, Activate builds the cross-sector ecosystem that drives hard tech innovation—equipping scientists and engineers with world-class resources, training, and community to bring their work from discovery to deployment. 5 billion in follow-on funding.

Now expanding beyond its flagship program, Activate is reaching scientists and engineers at more stages of their entrepreneurial journey across the world—multiplying the pathways from innovation to commercialization. org . Position Summary Activate is partnering with FUEL Louisiana to build a connected carbontech innovation workforce across the state.

This new Louisiana-based Program Manager will serve as the on-the-ground leader for two complementary programs that together aim to engage 300+ participants annually, expanding the pool of science entrepreneurs and startup talent across Louisiana, while strengthening the connections that drive long-term ecosystem growth. Louisiana Science Innovator BRIDGE (LSI BRIDGE) — a 6-month scalable support program helping scientists and engineers explore entrepreneurship and commercialization in carbon management, with a Core Track (25–100 participants) and an Intensive Track (5–10 participants/year). StartUp Pathways — a lightweight awareness-building initiative that exposes students, early-career professionals, and technical workers to career opportunities in Louisiana's growing hard tech startup ecosystem.

This is a high-impact, entrepreneurially-spirited role at the intersection of science, community-building, and workforce development. You will be Activate's primary presence in Louisiana, working closely with FUEL Louisiana, local universities, community colleges, industry partners, and Activate's national team to ensure both programs are executed with excellence.

Responsibilities

Program Management & Execution Own end-to-end coordination, managing timelines, milestones, and day-to-day operations across both programs simultaneously. Collaborate with FUEL on the LSI BRIDGE selection process for the Core Tract; leverage Activate's historical selection infrastructure to select the Intensive Track participants. Support EIR with the Intensive Track program, ensuring meaningful progress and building community for participants.

Assist FUEL in making direct connections between Intensive Track founders and core assets in Louisiana to ensure retention in FUEL’s founder ecosystem. Coordinate monthly virtual sessions, peer learning forums, group discussions, and cohort events for LSI BRIDGE participants — including logistics, materials access, and participant communications. Organize StartUp Pathways panels and Q&A sessions, sourcing speakers from Activate's national hard tech startup network and coordinating with FUEL's platforms for participant recruitment.

Support recruiting efforts including in-person and virtual recruitment events annually, partnering with FUEL to activate local channels and institutional partners. Community & Relationship Building Cultivate a tight-knit, supportive community among LSI BRIDGE participants, forming relationships with participants to connect them to resources and opportunities. Serve as the primary relationship manager with FUEL Louisiana, attending key stakeholder meetings, contributing to joint reporting, and ensuring strong alignment between both organizations' goals.

Build and steward a local network of mentors, carbontech experts, institutional partners, and venues — drawing on both Activate's national network and FUEL's Louisiana connections.