Our approach

Canyon

Naturally different. At Upstream, we engage founders to determine the right amount of venture capital to take in order to achieve a well-informed valuation milestone. Rather than giving great founders money and cheering from the sidelines, we become partners with founders from day one. Working collaboratively, we forge a path toward each successive milestone as we shape the future together.
‍
With an eye for ground zero startups (Pre Seed & Seed), Upstream helps founders raise enough money to validate their business without suffering undue dilution. By providing guidance and appropriate early capital, we can significantly help founders build companies that top caliber institutions will want to invest in during subsequent financings.

a multi-stage investor for ground zero startups

Ground zero
‍‍opportunities

By nurturing founding teams who are crafting and executing a company’s development and go-to-market activities, Upstream adds value even before making an investment. Founders may want to focus on targets or strategies with curb appeal but that don’t resonate with financial markets. Upstream works with founders to ascertain the milestones that will bolster company value and the strategies to get there.
we help founders know which metrics matter most

earned opportunities

Accomplished, technical founders and serial entrepreneurs capitalize on our expertise to successfully land top caliber investors. Upstream works with these founders to validate assumptions, clarify developmental milestones, and strengthen go-to-market strategies, all of which is captured in a credible set of projections. In exchange for our upfront involvement, Upstream participates on the same terms as larger institutional investors.
Partners
from our network connect us with highly technical founders.
Upstream
spends 40+ hours with founders in order to
  • Understand the business model associated with the product.
  • Build robust financial projections the founders can use to fundraise.
Founders
let Upstream invest on the same terms as the lead investor in the next financing.
access to exclusive deals, in exchange for our expertise