Organization · Micro VC

upside.fm

Upside.fm is a podcast network focused on startup ecosystems outside of Silicon Valley, providing insights into early-stage investing. Founded in 2018, it features interviews with founders and investors across various U.S. cities.

Micro VCFunderPublisher

Overview

What upside.fm does

What upside.fm is

Upside.fm is a podcast network focused on startup ecosystems outside of Silicon Valley, providing insights into early-stage investing. Founded in 2018, it features interviews with founders and investors across various U.S. cities.

How it participates in the startup ecosystem

The current public profile supports funder and publisher capabilities. Each capability below is shown separately so organization identity and role-specific information do not get conflated.

Operational profile

Organization status and context

Organization status describes the entity itself. Funding and program availability appear within the relevant capability profile.

Operational status
Active
Organization type
Micro VC
Founded
Founded in 2018
Approximate age
About 8 years
Structured capabilities
Funder · Publisher
Last reviewed
April 9, 2026

Official channels

Find upside.fm elsewhere

Open the official website or a supported primary organization account.

Capability profile

upside.fm as a funder

Investment thesis

Upside focuses on investing in early-stage companies outside of Silicon Valley, particularly in underserved regions of the US.

Focus narrative

Upside primarily invests in early-stage companies and provides media coverage for startups located outside of Silicon Valley. The network's content includes interviews with founders and discussions on investment opportunities, focusing on fostering growth in diverse startup ecosystems across the United States.

Value beyond capital

Upside adds value to its portfolio companies by providing media exposure through its podcast network, connecting them with potential investors and community builders, and offering insights into the startup landscape outside of Silicon Valley.

Focus and fit

Stages
Friends and Family · Angel · Accelerator · Pre-seed · Seed · Seed+ · Series A · Series A+

Availability

Currently deploying
Not published

Portfolio and track record

Recorded portfolio count
128

Portfolio context

The podcast has featured interviews with 128 founders from 71 different cities, as well as 45 investors and 48 community builders. Notable episodes include discussions with companies like Powerspike, which connects brands and creators on Twitch, and Foodnerd, which focuses on making nutrient-dense superfoods more accessible.

Capability profile

upside.fm as a publisher

Editorial focus

Upside is a podcast network that focuses on highlighting startup ecosystems outside of Silicon Valley. It provides insights into startup investing and features interviews with founders, investors, and community builders, primarily targeting early-stage companies in various U.S. cities.

Audience value

Upside provides valuable insights and resources for early-stage founders and investors, particularly those located outside traditional tech hubs, by showcasing diverse startup ecosystems and investment opportunities.

Format and cadence

Content formats
podcast
Primary platform
Apple Podcasts

Availability

Guest pitch state
Accepting

Audience and focus

Audience
Founders · Investors

Flagship work and coverage

Flagship properties

The flagship show of Upside features interviews with early-stage founders from non-Silicon Valley markets, framing each episode as an investment analysis exercise. The network also includes syndicated shows such as 'When Pigs Fly', 'Chicago Capital', and 'Middle Tech'.

Notable coverage

Upside has been recognized as a top 27 business podcast by Fortune and was described by Business Insider as 'Almost as Good as Getting an MBA'.

Common questions

What to know about upside.fm

Upseed classifies upside.fm under the Micro VC organization type. Its current public profile includes funder and publisher capabilities.

Next step

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Source and update disclosure

Know what this page is based on

Source basis

Public organization and program material, official websites, and structured Upseed records.

Last reviewed

April 9, 2026

Known limits

Capability profiles appear only when a structured public profile also contains decision-useful role evidence. Terms and availability can change.

Upseed is an independent guide. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the organization described on this page.