VC Spotlight: LvlUp Ventures
When Brandon Maier launched LvlUp Ventures in January 2019, he wasn't trying to build another capital pool with a fancy logo. He was sharpening a weapon. After co-founding Quake Capital and investing in more than 400 startups, 84% still active, 15 already exited, Brandon understood the difference between writing checks and building companies. Founders don't just need capital; they need conviction, community, and a crew willing to get dirt under their nails. That's the DNA of LvlUp Ventures: part fund, part #accelerator, all operator.
The portfolio proves the model. More than 100 companies backed. Over $300 million raised. A combined valuation topping $1.5 billion. Those aren't soft milestones; they're evidence of a system firing at scale. Capchase turned into a $2 billion non-dilutive financing engine. DealMaker crossed $2 billion in equity crowdfunding transactions. Versus became an AI-fueled #Ad Tech play integrated with Microsoft and the NFL after a $1.5 million SPV. Each one is a case study in spotting white space early and scaling it with precision.
The team matches the thesis. Brandon Maier sets the tone with operator instincts and a global network. Alongside him, Aaron Good leads accelerators and sits on the investment committee, bringing the perspective of a four-time founder and educator at Harvard Business School, Columbia, and Cornell. Supporting them are operators like Matthew Winter, Patricio Leroux, and Aasim Kamruddin, people who understand building isn't theory, it's execution. Together they deliver what most firms only promise: sleeves-rolled-up support that founders can feel on day one.
LvlUp Ventures built a toolkit that stretches beyond capital. NextUp Accelerator, licensed to universities and corporates, runs like a private lab for scaling founders. LvlUp Labs delivers programming and mentorship inside a flagship incubator model. Bespoke SPVs let co-investors enter with surgical precision. And a global roster of more than 500 VCs in Residence ensures deal flow and on-the-ground expertise from Los Angeles to London to Lagos. This is a distribution network disguised as a venture firm.
The results go deeper than valuation charts. More than 40% of portfolio founders are women or underrepresented minorities. LA VentureConnect, the bi-monthly series of job fairs and panels, doubles as both talent pipeline and community hub. Founder's Shop and VC Scholar break down investing into an open curriculum for the next generation. Even the free programs for underrepresented founders prove that inclusion isn't a slogan at LvlUp, it's a strategy.
Entry into this ecosystem is earned. The founders who thrive here typically bring $20,000 to $100,000 in monthly recurring revenue or a product on the brink of it. They're domain experts who can take feedback without flinching. They want more than capital, they want a fractional team that can shape #GTM, #fundraising, hiring, and even M&A. That's why the LvlUp flywheel keeps spinning faster: conviction at the front, operational firepower behind it.
And right now, many portfolio companies are hiring. #Engineers, #marketers, #operators, #salesteams, the doors are open for talent and partnerships. The real question is whether you're ready to step in. Because in this ecosystem, careers don't just advance. They level up.
Capchase — https://www.capchase.com/careers
DealMaker — https://www.dealmaker.tech/careers
Versus — https://versusequity.com/careers/
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