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UP Partners

North America, California, United States, Santa Monica

Description

UP Partners is a prominent venture capital firm based in Santa Monica, California, dedicated to investing in companies that are fundamentally transforming the global "Moving World." Their investment thesis is broad yet focused, encompassing innovations across mobility, logistics, and supply chain sectors, spanning air, space, ground, and sea. The firm seeks out disruptive technologies and business models that address critical challenges and opportunities within this vast ecosystem.

The firm has demonstrated significant fundraising success, having closed its inaugural fund, UP.Partners Fund I, L.P., at $170 million in 2020. Building on this momentum, they successfully raised their second and larger fund, UP.Partners Fund II, L.P., which closed at $300 million in February 2023. This brings their total assets under management to approximately $470 million, underscoring their substantial capacity to deploy capital into promising early-stage ventures.

UP Partners typically invests across Seed, Series A, and Series B rounds, providing not just capital but also strategic guidance and access to their extensive network within the mobility industry. Their portfolio features high-profile companies such as Zipline, a leader in drone delivery, and Skydio, known for its autonomous drone technology. The firm's approach emphasizes deep industry expertise and a long-term perspective, aiming to support founders who are building the foundational technologies and infrastructure for the future of movement.

Investor Profile

UP Partners has backed more than 33 startups, with 9 new investments in the last 12 months alone. The firm has led 23 rounds, about 70% of its total and boasts 0 exits across its portfolio.

Investment Focus Highlights

  • Concentrates on Seed, Series A, Series B rounds (top funding stages).
  • Majority of deals are located in United States, Singapore, United Kingdom.
  • Strong thematic focus on Artificial Intelligence (AI), Robotics, Transportation.
  • Led 9 rounds in the past year.
  • Typical check size: $2M – $20M.

Stage Focus

  • Seed (36%)
  • Series A (36%)
  • Series B (12%)
  • Pre Seed (6%)
  • Series E (3%)
  • Series D (3%)
  • Series C (3%)

Country Focus

  • United States (79%)
  • Singapore (6%)
  • United Kingdom (6%)
  • Mexico (3%)
  • United Arab Emirates (3%)

Industry Focus

  • Artificial Intelligence (Ai)
  • Robotics
  • Transportation
  • Machine Learning
  • Software
  • Logistics
  • Drones
  • Information Technology
  • Drone Management
  • Manufacturing
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FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Learn who this investor regularly partners with—both firms and angels—and explore their latest activity.

Who does UP Partners frequently co-invest with?

Linse Capital
North America, California, United States, Menlo Park
Co-Investments: 2
Next47
North America, California, United States, Palo Alto
Co-Investments: 2
Karman Ventures (fka Moving Capital)
North America, California, United States, Santa Monica
Co-Investments: 2
IVP
North America, California, United States, Menlo Park
Co-Investments: 2
Yamaha Motor Ventures
North America, California, United States, Palo Alto
Co-Investments: 3
F-Prime Capital
North America, Massachusetts, United States, Cambridge
Co-Investments: 2
Andreessen Horowitz
North America, California, United States, Menlo Park
Co-Investments: 2
GGV Capital
North America, California, United States, Menlo Park
Co-Investments: 2
Alumni Ventures
North America, New Hampshire, United States, Manchester
Co-Investments: 2
Trousdale Ventures
North America, California, United States, West Hollywood
Co-Investments: 3

Which angels does UP Partners often collaborate with?

AB
North America, California, United States, San Francisco
Shared Deals: 1
CB
North America, California, United States, Berkeley
Shared Deals: 1
Dan Doctoroff
North America, New York, United States, New York
Shared Deals: 1
MZ
Europe, England, United Kingdom, London
Shared Deals: 1
TM
North America, California, United States, Santa Monica
Shared Deals: 1
MK
North America, California, United States, Stanford
Shared Deals: 1
JP
North America, New York, United States, New York
Shared Deals: 1

What are some of recent deals done by UP Partners?

Warp

Los Angeles, California, United States

Consolidate and optimize shipments bound for stores, FCs, DCs, and last-mile sort centers.

Freight ServiceLogisticsSupply Chain ManagementTransportation
Series AJun 12, 2025
Amount Raised: $10,000,000
Infinitform Inc

Los Angeles, California, United States

InfinitForm is an AI-powered design tool that optimizes CAD parts for real-world manufacturing—CNC, casting, molding, and additive.

Generative AISoftware
SeedMay 15, 2025
Amount Raised: $12,700,000
WakeCap Technologies

Dubai, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

WakeCap is an IoT-based enterprise solution to improve safety & productivity in the construction site

ConstructionEnterprise ApplicationsIndustrial AutomationInformation TechnologyInternet of ThingsWearables
Series AMay 13, 2025
Amount Raised: $28,000,000
Sayso

San Francisco, California, United States

Sayso is a communication accessibility platform that improves speech intelligibility for humans and machines alike.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)Machine LearningSoftware
SeedMar 11, 2025
Amount Raised: $40,000,000
SaySo

New York, New York, United States

Clearance E-Commerce Platform

Retail Technology
SeedDec 1, 2024
Amount Raised: $4,000,000
Teleo

Palo Alto, California, United States

Teleo provides construction equipment by converting existing fleet into remote-controlled robots.

ConstructionFleet ManagementRobotics
Series ANov 21, 2024
Amount Raised: $7,000,000
UnitX

Santa Clara, California, United States

UnitX builds robots for factories.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)Machine LearningManufacturingRobotics
Series BNov 18, 2024
Amount Raised: $46,000,000
Odysee

Santa Monica, California, United States

Odysee provides innovative solutions that enable airline operators to make smarter, more informed decisions

AerospaceInformation TechnologyInternetTransportation
SeedOct 2, 2024
Amount Raised: $5,000,000
BeyondMath

Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom

AI-first approach to simulating the physical world

Artificial Intelligence (AI)
SeedAug 20, 2024
Amount Raised: $8,500,000
Range Energy

Mountain View, California, United States

Range accelerates the electrification of commercial transportation with powered trailers for the heavy-duty truck market.

Electric VehicleManufacturingTransportation
Series AFeb 28, 2024
Amount Raised: $23,500,000