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.

AJ Herrera

Finance Associate

Stuart Lander

Chief Operating Partner

Aditi Maliwal

Partner

Yves Sisteron

Managing Partner and Co-Founder

Mark Suster

General Partner

Kevin Zhang

Partner

Past deals in Digital Media

Crate

Seed Round in 2023
Crate is an AI-driven platform that transforms content consumption and sharing. Founded in 2021 and based in Los Angeles, California, the company offers a solution that allows users to collect and save content from various apps and websites. Its platform enables individuals to organize, group, label, and annotate articles, podcasts, videos, and tweets. By streamlining the process of importing content from other platforms, Crate empowers content creators to customize, curate, and share their work effortlessly. The company aims to enhance how users interact with digital content, making it more accessible and engaging.

Astral

Series A in 2022
Astral is an AI-powered content transformation platform that assists businesses in repurposing their existing content libraries into personalized digital experiences. It provides innovative features such as automated content generation for social media campaigns, emails, landing pages, and SEO-optimized blog posts. Additionally, the platform enables AI-driven interactions using "anti-hallucination" technology, allowing users to engage with their audience effectively. Astral also focuses on audience growth by helping users leverage their intellectual property across multiple channels, thereby creating new revenue streams and enhancing their digital presence. Targeting experts and content creators looking to monetize their intellectual property, Astral simplifies the process of expanding digital reach and maximizing the value of existing content with minimal effort.

GumGum

Series D in 2020
GumGum, Inc. is a company specializing in in-image advertising and visual intelligence solutions for brands and publishers. Founded in 2006 and headquartered in Santa Monica, California, GumGum leverages artificial intelligence, particularly computer vision and natural language processing, to unlock the value of visual content across various platforms, including social media and broadcast television. The company offers a range of services, including influencer marketing, in-screen and native advertising, site monetization, community management, and targeted media buying. Additionally, GumGum provides a visual listening platform that enables brands to identify and activate relevant online images and an online portal for customizing and launching advertisements. With multiple offices across the United States and internationally, GumGum aims to enhance contextual marketing and improve the effectiveness of advertising investments through advanced technology.

Knowable

Seed Round in 2019
Knowable Universe, Inc., commonly known as Knowable, is an online platform focused on audio learning. Established in 2013 and headquartered in Los Angeles, California, Knowable offers a range of audio courses designed to help individuals build new skills. Its offerings include long-form audio instruction, detailed lesson summaries, curated learning tools, and a downloadable e-textbook. Additionally, the platform provides access to private student communities, fostering engagement among learners. The team behind Knowable comprises editors, producers, and journalists with experience from well-known institutions, ensuring the creation of high-quality and effective audio courses.

FabFitFun

Series A in 2019
FabFitFun, Inc. is a subscription-based service that provides curated boxes of health and beauty products to its members. Founded in 2010 and headquartered in Los Angeles, the company delivers seasonal gift boxes every three months, featuring a variety of fashion and beauty items. In addition to its subscription offerings, FabFitFun publishes online content covering diverse topics such as wellness, entertainment, and lifestyle, while also providing a daily email service with tips on beauty, fitness, and fashion. The platform aims to connect women with products from both premium and emerging brands, promoting healthier lifestyles through a curated collection of full-size products and access to on-demand wellness videos, exclusive sales, and a supportive online community. FabFitFun operates as a subsidiary of Unilever N.V.

mitú

Series D in 2018
mitú connect brands, content buyers, and creators to Latino youth in America. It is a home away from home for Latinos in the U.S. They are young, edgy, smart, loud, funny, relevant, proud, and united.They are what it means to be Latino.

Pathmatics

Corporate Round in 2018
Pathmatics, Inc. is a digital advertising intelligence platform that serves advertisers, agencies, publishers, and ad technology providers. Founded in 2009 and located in Santa Monica, California, the company offers a comprehensive suite of data covering display, social, video, mobile, and native advertising. Its Pathsource technology identifies participants in the ad serving process, providing insights into ad performance for brands, their competitors, and entire industries. This data allows users to optimize their media and marketing strategies, minimize budget waste, and anticipate competitive movements. Pathmatics' analytics power offerings for major companies like Nielsen and Kantar Media, and its insights are utilized by agencies such as Mindshare and Mediacom. Initially known as Adomic, Inc., the company rebranded to Pathmatics in 2015.

DailyLook

Series A in 2018
DailyLook, Inc. is an online fashion retailer based in Los Angeles, California, specializing in a curated selection of women's clothing, shoes, bags, and accessories. Founded in 1998, the company offers a diverse range of products, including blazers, dresses, denim, footwear, and various accessories, catering to different styles such as Boho, casual, and classic. DailyLook aims to enhance the shopping experience by providing a premium personal styling service, where professional stylists select outfits tailored to individual preferences, body shapes, and lifestyles. Customers receive a box of curated fashion items at home, allowing them to try on the pieces before purchasing, with the convenience of free shipping for both delivery and returns.

The Mighty

Series A in 2017
The Mighty is a digital health community created to empower and connect people facing health challenges and disabilities.

Vemba

Series A in 2017
Vemba has created the first player-agnostic technology solution for video distribution, allowing publishers to integrate third-party video content and advertising within their preferred editorial process and existing video workflow. Producers maintain better control of their content with Vemba, and publishers can feature original and complementary video without needing to adjust for unwieldy third-party players or advertising restrictions. With Vemba at the intersection of every transaction, both content owner and publisher receive real-time analytics on the performance of video and advertising, regardless of OVP, video player, ad server, or CDN.

Vidme

Series A in 2016
Vidme is a startup focused on creating a video-sharing platform that fosters a community for expressing and sharing ideas through video content. The platform allows users to upload videos across various categories, including gaming, animation, movies, and entertainment. It provides a user-friendly environment where individuals can share their videos without needing to create an account, facilitating easier access and participation. By organizing content into relevant community sections, Vidme aims to connect users with similar interests and enhance the overall viewing experience.

All Day

Seed Round in 2016
All Day is building an editorial media brand and publishing technology for mobile-first Millennial audiences. The company leverages a network of owned and partner Social Media properties for content distribution and audience engagement, driving content sharing and virality. All Day’s network partners, writers, and editors manage posts, track analytics, and grow engagement through its CMS and Social distribution dashboard. Today, All Day maintains and engages a growing audience on Social Media channels through owned and operated content brands with over 28 million followers, as well as a distribution network reaching over 200 million followers across Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Included among the company’s more popular social accounts are HistoryinPics and EarthPix on Twitter. Through these owned and partner accounts, All Day distributes highly visual and shareable editorial content, which is often featured on its destination site AllDay.com.

Vemba

Series A in 2016
Vemba has created the first player-agnostic technology solution for video distribution, allowing publishers to integrate third-party video content and advertising within their preferred editorial process and existing video workflow. Producers maintain better control of their content with Vemba, and publishers can feature original and complementary video without needing to adjust for unwieldy third-party players or advertising restrictions. With Vemba at the intersection of every transaction, both content owner and publisher receive real-time analytics on the performance of video and advertising, regardless of OVP, video player, ad server, or CDN.

mitú

Series C in 2016
mitú connect brands, content buyers, and creators to Latino youth in America. It is a home away from home for Latinos in the U.S. They are young, edgy, smart, loud, funny, relevant, proud, and united.They are what it means to be Latino.

FabFitFun

Seed Round in 2015
FabFitFun, Inc. is a subscription-based service that provides curated boxes of health and beauty products to its members. Founded in 2010 and headquartered in Los Angeles, the company delivers seasonal gift boxes every three months, featuring a variety of fashion and beauty items. In addition to its subscription offerings, FabFitFun publishes online content covering diverse topics such as wellness, entertainment, and lifestyle, while also providing a daily email service with tips on beauty, fitness, and fashion. The platform aims to connect women with products from both premium and emerging brands, promoting healthier lifestyles through a curated collection of full-size products and access to on-demand wellness videos, exclusive sales, and a supportive online community. FabFitFun operates as a subsidiary of Unilever N.V.

Shots Podcast Network

Series A in 2015
Shots Podcast Network, founded by John and Sam Shahidi, is a creator network that offers media management services specifically designed for influencers and celebrities. The company specializes in producing original mobile-first content tailored for platforms such as YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat. By facilitating content management and promotional strategies, Shots Podcast Network enables creators to effectively navigate the complexities of digital media, enhancing their reach and engagement with audiences. The network has garnered support from notable figures, including Justin Bieber and Floyd Mayweather, further establishing its presence in the entertainment industry.

Vidme

Seed Round in 2015
Vidme is a startup focused on creating a video-sharing platform that fosters a community for expressing and sharing ideas through video content. The platform allows users to upload videos across various categories, including gaming, animation, movies, and entertainment. It provides a user-friendly environment where individuals can share their videos without needing to create an account, facilitating easier access and participation. By organizing content into relevant community sections, Vidme aims to connect users with similar interests and enhance the overall viewing experience.

MiTu Network

Series B in 2015
MiTú is a Latino lifestyle network focused on health, beauty, food, family, home, and pop culture. It aggregates videos 1,200 partners and attracts an audience that is generating 400 million views a month. MiTú is a division of Latido Networks which is the Hispanic targeted networks division of GoDigital Media Group.

mitú

Series B in 2015
mitú connect brands, content buyers, and creators to Latino youth in America. It is a home away from home for Latinos in the U.S. They are young, edgy, smart, loud, funny, relevant, proud, and united.They are what it means to be Latino.

Epoxy

Series A in 2014
Epoxy Inc. operates an online video creation and sharing platform that facilitates the production of clips, GIFs, images, and memes from videos. The platform allows users to share YouTube videos directly across social networks and engage with their audience through comments. Founded in 2012 and based in Venice, California, Epoxy serves both individual creators and media enterprises, providing professional tools for video channel management. The company's offerings are designed to enhance audience engagement and support monetization efforts, drawing insights from the experiences of successful YouTubers and video creators. Epoxy Inc. has been functioning as a subsidiary of Vemba Corp since 2016.

MiTu Network

Series B in 2014
MiTú is a Latino lifestyle network focused on health, beauty, food, family, home, and pop culture. It aggregates videos 1,200 partners and attracts an audience that is generating 400 million views a month. MiTú is a division of Latido Networks which is the Hispanic targeted networks division of GoDigital Media Group.

Redef

Seed Round in 2014
REDEF is a company that curates information streams tailored for various industry communities, integrating elements of pop culture. Its platform focuses on a diverse range of topics, including media, technology, sports, music, movies, education, fashion, design, and health. Through newsletters and community engagement, REDEF promotes a deeper understanding of these subjects by allowing users to customize their preferred content mixes and share them with others. The aim is to create an interactive environment where curated insights foster connections among professionals and enthusiasts alike.

DailyLook

Seed Round in 2013
DailyLook, Inc. is an online fashion retailer based in Los Angeles, California, specializing in a curated selection of women's clothing, shoes, bags, and accessories. Founded in 1998, the company offers a diverse range of products, including blazers, dresses, denim, footwear, and various accessories, catering to different styles such as Boho, casual, and classic. DailyLook aims to enhance the shopping experience by providing a premium personal styling service, where professional stylists select outfits tailored to individual preferences, body shapes, and lifestyles. Customers receive a box of curated fashion items at home, allowing them to try on the pieces before purchasing, with the convenience of free shipping for both delivery and returns.

Epoxy

Seed Round in 2013
Epoxy Inc. operates an online video creation and sharing platform that facilitates the production of clips, GIFs, images, and memes from videos. The platform allows users to share YouTube videos directly across social networks and engage with their audience through comments. Founded in 2012 and based in Venice, California, Epoxy serves both individual creators and media enterprises, providing professional tools for video channel management. The company's offerings are designed to enhance audience engagement and support monetization efforts, drawing insights from the experiences of successful YouTubers and video creators. Epoxy Inc. has been functioning as a subsidiary of Vemba Corp since 2016.

Pathmatics

Seed Round in 2013
Pathmatics, Inc. is a digital advertising intelligence platform that serves advertisers, agencies, publishers, and ad technology providers. Founded in 2009 and located in Santa Monica, California, the company offers a comprehensive suite of data covering display, social, video, mobile, and native advertising. Its Pathsource technology identifies participants in the ad serving process, providing insights into ad performance for brands, their competitors, and entire industries. This data allows users to optimize their media and marketing strategies, minimize budget waste, and anticipate competitive movements. Pathmatics' analytics power offerings for major companies like Nielsen and Kantar Media, and its insights are utilized by agencies such as Mindshare and Mediacom. Initially known as Adomic, Inc., the company rebranded to Pathmatics in 2015.

Maker Studios

Series C in 2012
Maker Studios, Inc. is a media company based in Los Angeles, California, that specializes in empowering artists to create, distribute, and monetize original content on YouTube. Founded in 2009, the company serves as a next-generation, talent-first media network, hosting a variety of prominent digital stars and popular content creators. Maker Studios provides comprehensive services to its partners, including development, production, promotion, distribution, sales, and marketing, making it a unique player in the digital media landscape. As a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, Maker Studios continues to influence the online video space by fostering creativity and collaboration among its diverse roster of talent.

Maker Studios

Series B in 2011
Maker Studios, Inc. is a media company based in Los Angeles, California, that specializes in empowering artists to create, distribute, and monetize original content on YouTube. Founded in 2009, the company serves as a next-generation, talent-first media network, hosting a variety of prominent digital stars and popular content creators. Maker Studios provides comprehensive services to its partners, including development, production, promotion, distribution, sales, and marketing, making it a unique player in the digital media landscape. As a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, Maker Studios continues to influence the online video space by fostering creativity and collaboration among its diverse roster of talent.

Maker Studios

Series A in 2010
Maker Studios, Inc. is a media company based in Los Angeles, California, that specializes in empowering artists to create, distribute, and monetize original content on YouTube. Founded in 2009, the company serves as a next-generation, talent-first media network, hosting a variety of prominent digital stars and popular content creators. Maker Studios provides comprehensive services to its partners, including development, production, promotion, distribution, sales, and marketing, making it a unique player in the digital media landscape. As a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, Maker Studios continues to influence the online video space by fostering creativity and collaboration among its diverse roster of talent.

GumGum

Series A in 2009
GumGum, Inc. is a company specializing in in-image advertising and visual intelligence solutions for brands and publishers. Founded in 2006 and headquartered in Santa Monica, California, GumGum leverages artificial intelligence, particularly computer vision and natural language processing, to unlock the value of visual content across various platforms, including social media and broadcast television. The company offers a range of services, including influencer marketing, in-screen and native advertising, site monetization, community management, and targeted media buying. Additionally, GumGum provides a visual listening platform that enables brands to identify and activate relevant online images and an online portal for customizing and launching advertisements. With multiple offices across the United States and internationally, GumGum aims to enhance contextual marketing and improve the effectiveness of advertising investments through advanced technology.

UGO Entertainment

Series E in 2000
UGO Entertainment creates quality lifestyle content for the coveted 18-34 male audience. The company’s flagship brands, UGO.com and 1UP.com, deliver in-depth daily coverage of the latest developments in games and entertainment. A network of owned and affiliated properties supports the flagships with databases of game cheats, interactive games, celebrity pictures, news and more. UGO Entertainment offers advertisers an opportunity to reach 42 million visitors worldwide who are highly influential trendsetters and lifestyle mavens with a passionate curiosity for "what's next." UGO has earned a strong reputation as a trusted publisher and as a proven innovator that delivers customized, high-impact online advertising programs for its world-class client base. UGO Entertainment, a unit of Hearst Corporation, is headquartered in New York City, with offices in San Francisco, Chicago and Santa Monica.

UGO Entertainment

Venture Round in 1998
UGO Entertainment creates quality lifestyle content for the coveted 18-34 male audience. The company’s flagship brands, UGO.com and 1UP.com, deliver in-depth daily coverage of the latest developments in games and entertainment. A network of owned and affiliated properties supports the flagships with databases of game cheats, interactive games, celebrity pictures, news and more. UGO Entertainment offers advertisers an opportunity to reach 42 million visitors worldwide who are highly influential trendsetters and lifestyle mavens with a passionate curiosity for "what's next." UGO has earned a strong reputation as a trusted publisher and as a proven innovator that delivers customized, high-impact online advertising programs for its world-class client base. UGO Entertainment, a unit of Hearst Corporation, is headquartered in New York City, with offices in San Francisco, Chicago and Santa Monica.
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