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BOARD BUILDER BOOTCAMP

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The Board Builder Bootcamp addresses a key gap in New Mexico’s startup ecosystem: many founders lack access to strong advisory and fiduciary boards. Without the right governance and advisors, startups often struggle to scale, commercialize technology, and engage investors.

Led by the New Mexico Startup Alliance in partnership with The Fourth Effect, the program combines board education, governance tools, and structured advisor matching to help startups build and activate high-impact advisory boards.

The program focuses on startups in Advanced Energy, Bioscience, Aerospace, and Advanced Computing, while also developing a pipeline of board-ready New Mexico executives and connecting participants to national advisor and investor networks.

Boards create stronger companies, accelerate commercialization, improve investability, and increase long-term survival rates.

What to Expect

❋ Onboarding & Board Readiness Assessment

Selected startups and executives complete structured onboarding with appointed Board-Members-in-Residence (BIRs) to establish governance baselines and identify advisory gaps to start program with a clear understanding of its board's needs, growth  objectives & readiness.

❋ Board Builder Bootcamp Training

Participants complete bespoke BBB Training led by The Fourth Effect focused on governance, advisory board strategy, & advisor engagement. The program equips founders with practical tools to build effective boards that support growth by strengthening commercialization.

❋ Scaling Smart with Advisory Boards

Founders participate in application-focused sessions with Board Members-in-Residence to turn board education into action. BIRs work directly with startups to support implementation by identifying advisory needs, structuring effective board relationships using governance tools, & preparing boards to fundraise and grow

❋ Tailored Advisor  Matching & Engagement

The Fourth Effect platform connects startups with a national network of vetted advisors and executives. Tailored matching and a “date-before-you-commit” model allow founders to test advisor fit before formalizing relationships.

❋ Ongoing Support

Founders receive ongoing support from local NM Board Members-in-Residence along with access to NMSA’s advisory resources, peer learning, and targeted technical assistance to help startups reach governance and growth milestones.

Board Builder Bootcamp helps New Mexico startups build the advisory boards they need to scale.

WHY ARE WE DOING THIS?

  • NM Companies face significant challenges creating boards

  • A lack of a board creates critical gaps in a startup ecosystem

  • 90% of Board Seats are Filled Through Informal Networks

Our Approach:

Local Executives leading Global On-Demand Advisors, so startups can have it all

  • "As we scaled, we needed high-level support from board members we did not yet have. Sandy shared some teachings from the Fourth Effect, and it helped us position our managerial know-how ahead of three VC meetings scheduled in the same week for $1.5M."

    Adhara Health

  • "As a founder in the software cybersecurity sector, I know firsthand that the right advisors and board members are critical at every stage of growth."

    DeployHub

  • "EnviTrace LLC is actively seeking a board member with a proven track record of launching a software company to help us build a compelling go-to-market strategy. This specific expertise has been challenging to find in New Mexico."

    EnviTrace LLC