Upstage Ventures

Upstage Ventures is a venture capital firm founded in 2010 by Mark Wachen, based in Ardsley, New York. It invests in and advises early-stage consumer internet and interactive marketing companies, drawing on Wachen's background as former Managing Director at DreamIt Ventures. Beyond capital, the firm leverages extensive industry networks and operational expertise to help portfolio companies scale, taking a hands-on advisory role throughout the venture lifecycle rather than a purely passive investment stance. Its focus spans consumer internet, mobile, and interactive marketing startups. Current portfolio companies include SeatGeek, Veritonic, TVision, Vengo, OrderGroove, and Rally, while past investments were acquired by Facebook, Zynga, Scribd, Marketo, and Dick's Sporting Goods, among others. Upstage typically invests in startups around 2–3 years old, usually as part of syndicated rounds with four to five co-investors rather than as lead, with typical deal sizes ranging from $1 million to $5 million.