
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.
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+
- Sectors
- ConsumerFintechHealthcareEducationClimate & SustainabilityArtificial IntelligenceBiotech & Life SciencesCommerce & RetailLogistics & Supply ChainMedia & Entertainment
- Regions
- North AmericaUnited States
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
- Regions
- United States
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'.
Connected ecosystem
Continue from upside.fm
These links use structured organization type, sector, and regional relationships. They do not imply endorsement or commercial similarity.
Same organization type
Structured sector focus
Structured regional focus
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.
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.