Upfront Ventures

Upfront Ventures is a venture capital firm established in 1996 and headquartered in Santa Monica, California, with additional offices in Los Angeles and San Francisco. The firm specializes in investing in technology-driven companies across various sectors, including digital content and distribution, Ad-Tech, e-commerce, financial services, mobile technology, big data, software, and health. Upfront Ventures primarily focuses on early-stage investments, specifically targeting seed and Series A rounds, with typical investments ranging from $0.5 million to $15 million. The firm strategically invests at least 50% of its capital in North America, particularly in the vibrant ecosystems of Southern California, while also considering opportunities in Europe and other regions, including the Caribbean and Central America. Upfront Ventures takes an active role in its portfolio companies by securing board seats and has a history of backing notable startups such as Ring, TrueCar, and Maker Studios. The firm is led by Managing Partners Yves Sisteron, Mark Suster, and Kara Nortman.