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UP.Partners is a venture capital firm founded in 2021 and headquartered in Santa Monica, California. The firm focuses on enhancing mobility by investing in technologies that improve the movement of people and goods across various transportation modes, including land, air, sea, and space. Since its inception, UP.Partners has established itself as a key player in the mobility sector, leveraging extensive corporate partnerships to drive innovation.
The firm manages a total fund size of $230 million and has invested in over 40 companies. UP.Partners operates through multiple vehicles, including UP.Ventures, UP.Labs, and UP.Abundance, allowing it to support startups at different stages of growth. The firm has built a reputation for its collaborative approach, working closely with entrepreneurs and established corporations to develop advanced mobility technologies.
Notable milestones include the launch of UP.Labs, a venture lab that collaborates with corporate partners to create startups addressing specific industry challenges. The firm also hosts UP.Summit, an annual gathering of leaders in the mobility sector, further solidifying its position as a thought leader in the industry.
UP.Partners invests in a diverse range of sectors, including mobility, logistics, energy, space-tech, artificial intelligence, healthcare, and fintech. The firm targets seed and early-stage ventures, with check sizes ranging from $1 million to $5 million. Their investment strategy emphasizes enhancing the efficiency and sustainability of transportation solutions across various modes.
The firm is particularly interested in startups that innovate in areas such as sensing and perception technologies, automation, logistics optimization, energy systems, and space infrastructure. UP.Partners seeks to partner with founders who are committed to transforming the movement of people and goods through innovative solutions. Their investment thesis focuses on creating substantial operational gains and immediate value for their portfolio companies.
Geographically, UP.Partners primarily focuses on the United States but maintains a global perspective, allowing them to tap into emerging markets and technologies worldwide. The firm’s multi-strategy operational model includes venture funding, co-creation through UP.Labs, and a dedicated energy and mobility fund via UP.Abundance, enabling startups to leverage resources and insights from established industry players.
UP.Partners has built a diverse portfolio of over 40 companies, focusing on mobility and logistics innovations. Notable portfolio companies include:
This portfolio reflects UP.Partners' commitment to investing in technologies that enhance the efficiency and sustainability of transportation across various sectors.
Ben Marcus: Co-Founder & Managing Partner. Previously founded Airmap, specializing in drone airspace management. He is an expert in aviation and mobility.
Cyrus Sigari: Co-Founder & Managing Partner. He has extensive experience in the mobility sector and has been instrumental in shaping UP.Partners' investment strategy.
Adam Grosser: Chairman & Managing Partner. He brings a wealth of experience from his previous roles in venture capital and corporate strategy.
Luciano Froes: Partner & Chief Marketing Officer. He focuses on marketing strategies and brand development for portfolio companies.
Ally Warson: Partner, UP.Ventures. She specializes in identifying and supporting early-stage ventures within the mobility sector.
Brian Adams: Co-Founder & Managing Partner, UP.Abundance. Formerly led Amazon's corporate venture capital arm, he brings expertise in corporate partnerships.
David Ellmann: Co-Founder & General Partner, UP.Abundance. He has a strong background in energy and mobility investments.
John Kuolt IV: Founder & CEO, UP.Labs. He leads the venture lab initiatives and startup co-creation efforts.
Patrick Pettay: CFO & Head of Growth, UP.Labs. He oversees financial operations and growth strategies for the lab.
Kristine Pachuta: Venture CEO & Head of Product, UP.Labs. She focuses on product development and operational support for startups.
To pitch UP.Partners, startups should visit their website at up.partners and submit their pitch through the designated channels. The firm prefers detailed decks that outline the business model, market opportunity, competitive landscape, and financial projections.
Founders should include information on their team, product development stage, and any traction or partnerships already established. UP.Partners values clear communication and a well-structured presentation that highlights the startup's alignment with their investment focus.
Response times may vary, but startups can expect to hear back within a few weeks. Warm introductions are encouraged, especially from mutual connections within the mobility or venture capital sectors.
UP.Labs operates as a venture lab that collaborates with corporate partners to create startups addressing specific industry challenges. They have established partnerships with companies like Porsche and Alaska Airlines to develop tailored startups over a three-year period.
Through UP.Labs, the firm engages in co-creation, allowing startups to benefit from the resources and expertise of established industry players. This program is designed to foster innovation and accelerate the development of solutions that meet the needs of the mobility sector.
In recent months, UP.Partners has been actively engaging in various investment activities. Notable recent deals include:
Additionally, UP.Partners is reportedly targeting a second fund of $230 million, as reported by Axios. This fund will continue to support their focus on mobility and logistics innovations.
What are UP.Partners' investment criteria?
UP.Partners focuses on seed and early-stage ventures in sectors such as mobility, logistics, energy, space-tech, AI, healthcare, and fintech. They typically invest between $1 million and $5 million per company.
How can startups apply or pitch to UP.Partners?
Startups can pitch to UP.Partners through their website at up.partners. They encourage entrepreneurs to provide detailed information about their business model, market potential, and how their solutions align with UP.Partners' investment focus.
What makes UP.Partners different from other venture capital firms?
UP.Partners distinguishes itself through its multi-strategy operational model, which includes venture funding, co-creation through UP.Labs, and a dedicated energy and mobility fund via UP.Abundance. This allows them to support startups at various stages and leverage corporate partnerships effectively.
What is the geographic scope of UP.Partners' investments?
While UP.Partners primarily focuses on the United States, they maintain a global perspective, allowing them to invest in innovative startups worldwide.
What kind of post-investment involvement can portfolio companies expect?
UP.Partners provides extensive support to its portfolio companies through industry expertise, access to corporate partnerships, and resources from their multi-strategy operational model. This includes potential follow-on investments and operational support.
What is the size of UP.Partners' fund?
UP.Partners manages a total fund size of $230 million, which is allocated across various investment vehicles, including UP.Ventures and UP.Abundance.
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