# Uplift

Startup profile on Capital Atlas: https://capitalatlas.ai/startups/uplift

- Industry: Financial Services
- Headquarters: Sunnyvale, US
- Website: www.uplift.com
- Total disclosed funding: $120M
- Latest round: Series C (Dec 18, 2018)
- Investors on record: 10

## About

Uplift, Inc. provides innovative financial solutions, specializing in "Buy Now, Pay Later" (BNPL) services that empower consumers to finance purchases through manageable monthly payments, enhancing accessibility across various sectors.Founded in 2014 and headquartered in Sunnyvale, California, Uplift, Inc. operates as a financial technology company that facilitates consumer purchases through installment payment options. The company underwent a significant change in ownership in July 2023, when it was acquired by Upgrade, Inc. for USD 100 mn. The founders of Uplift include Ariana Pan, Brian Barth, Raghavv Sharrma, and Stewart Kelly, with Brian Barth and Raghavv Sharrma currently serving as co-CEOs. Since its inception, Uplift has participated in 9 deals, securing a total amount raised of USD 84 mn, with its most recent funding round designated as an Add-on.Uplift offers a "Buy Now, Pay Later" (BNPL) financial service primarily aimed at consumers looking to finance their purchases through manageable monthly payments. Their core product allows customers to spread the cost of purchases over fixed monthly installments without incurring late fees or pre-payment penalties. Uplift's services cater to consumers in the travel, retail, and hospitality sectors, providing an easy application process that enables users to select payment plans that align with their budget. Customers can utilize Uplift by choosing it as a payment method at checkout on partner websites, where they input a few personal details and finalize their purchase, serving a diverse client base across the United States and Canada.Uplift generates revenue through a transaction-based model by partnering with various retailers and service providers to offer their financing solutions. When a consumer selects Uplift at checkout, the company facilitates the transaction, allowing the consumer to pay for their purchase in installments. Revenue streams include fees from partnering merchants for utilizing Uplift's service and interest from consumers' monthly payments based on their credit profiles. For instance, financing a USD 1,500 purchase at a 15% annual percentage rate (APR) results in monthly payments over a defined term, during which Uplift earns interest revenue, thus monetizing their service while delivering value to consumers and merchants.Uplift is focused on expanding its product offerings and geographic reach. Plans include the launch of new financial products tailored for international markets, with targeted expansion into regions beyond North America expected by late 2024. The recent acquisition and subsequent funding round will support these initiatives, specifically by allowing Uplift to enhance its technology and marketing efforts to increase market penetration. Following the acquisition by Upgrade, Inc. in July 2023, Uplift aims to leverage synergies between its services and those of its new parent company to drive growth and improve customer experiences.

## Funding rounds

- Series C, Dec 18, 2018, $84M — Madrone Capital Partners, Ridge Ventures, PAR Capital Management, DNX Ventures, Harris Barton Asset Management, Highgate Ventures
- Series B, Dec 21, 2017, $15M — PAR Capital Management, DNX Ventures, Highgate Ventures, Good AI Capital
- Series B, Dec 11, 2017, $14M — PAR Capital Management, Highgate Ventures, Draper Venture Network
- Series A, Nov 12, 2014, $7.2M — IDG Capital, Thayer Ventures, PAR Capital Management

## Investors

- IDG Capital (https://capitalatlas.ai/funds/idg-capital) — Series A
- Thayer Ventures (https://capitalatlas.ai/funds/thayer-ventures) — Series A
- PAR Capital Management (https://capitalatlas.ai/funds/par-capital-management) — Series A, Series B, Series C
- Highgate Ventures — Series B, Series C
- Draper Venture Network (https://capitalatlas.ai/funds/draper-venture-network) — Series B
- DNX Ventures (https://capitalatlas.ai/funds/dnx-ventures) — Series B, Series C
- Good AI Capital (https://capitalatlas.ai/funds/good-ai-capital) — Series B
- Madrone Capital Partners — Series C
- Ridge Ventures (https://capitalatlas.ai/funds/ridge-ventures) — Series C
- Harris Barton Asset Management (https://capitalatlas.ai/funds/harris-barton-asset-management) — Series C