UP

Uphonest

VC
Palo Alto, CAWebsite

Uphonest is a Pre-Seed, Seed venture capital firm based in Palo Alto, CA investing in AI / ML, Other, SaaS. The firm typically writes $250K–$3.0M checks and has 12 portfolio companies in our records.

How to approach: cold outreach ok
Stage

Pre-Seed, Seed

Check Size

$250K – $3.0M

Portfolio

12+ companies

Team

3 partners

Investor activity
Investments in last 12 months: 0

Investment Thesis

Invests in scalable tools with AI-driven platforms for founders and entrepreneurs, enabling product validation and faster go-to-market strategies.

How Uphonest invests

Uphonest is a vc firm based in Palo Alto, CA. The firm invests at the Pre-Seed, Seed stages, with a focus on AI / ML, Other, SaaS, Consumer.

Uphonest typically writes checks of $250K–$3.0M per investment.

Uphonest has backed 12 companies in our records, including LaunchDarkly, HelloAva, Substack.

Meet the Team

VT

Violet Tan

Partner & COO

fund strategy
operations
community building
JK

Jane Kim

Managing Partner

early-stage investing
product-market fit guidance
WG

Wei Guo

Founding Partner

early-stage investments
cross-sector investments

Industry Focus

Invests In

AI / ML
Other
SaaS
Consumer

Portfolio Companies (12)

Other

LA

LaunchDarkly

Feature Management SaaS
HE

HelloAva

AI-Powered Recommendation Tools
SU

Substack

Media·Growth

Substack is a subscription-based newsletter publishing platform for independent writers.

BO

Botrista

FoodTech·Seed

Botrista provides beverage solutions to foodservice operators by leveraging easy-to-use equipment (the DrinkBot) alongside a line of pre-packaged ingredients (BiBs) to deliver a variety of craft beverages.

TR

Tripalink

Real Estate Tech·Growth

Tripalink is a residential brand for student and working professionals driven by technologies.

TH

The EVERY Company

Biotech·Seed

The EVERY Company makes real animal protein without the use of a single animal, starting with chicken-less egg proteins.

BU

Bungalow

Real Estate Tech·Growth

Bungalow is a residential real estate platform that provides renters a more convenient, flexible, and communal living solution.

GE

Genspark

AI/ML·Seed

All-in-one AI workspace

ME

Mezmo

Data Infrastructure·Growth

Mezmo, formerly LogDNA, is an observability platform to manage and take action on your data.

FI

Fieldguide

SaaS·Seed

Fieldguide provides an automation and collaboration platform for modern assurance and advisory firms.

How to pitch Uphonest
  • Raising at Pre-Seed, Seed? You're squarely in their sweet spot.
  • Lead with your fit in AI / ML, Other, SaaS — the sectors they actively back.
  • Size your ask to their typical $250K – $3.0M check.
  • cold outreach ok
  • Address your outreach to a specific partner, such as Violet Tan, Partner & COO.
  • A warm introduction beats a cold email. Get matched and request an intro.

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