Why Upsides? 🤔

Too much power is concentrated at the top, but we don't have to play their game.
It's time for a small business explosion.

Layoffs, AI And The Future Of Work

In recent years, we've been living under the constant threat of AI replacing us, enduring regular layoffs and watching entry level jobs disappear. A relative handful of oligarchs and companies are vying for absolute power and complete control over our economy. Meanwhile, no one seems to be concerned about workers or the future of opportunity at all.

It's supposedly about "productivity", but who benefits from it? And, what's the point of a highly productive economy if no one can find work or support themselves?

We believe the answer is to unleash a wave of small business creation and growth. We can break the stranglehold of the monopolies/oligopolies by creating distributed networks of businesses, patronizing businesses of fellow community members, and by building teams—from CEOs to customer service reps to software developers and more—who all share in the success of the business through equity and revenue sharing.

No more threats of layoffs or replacement with AI for the sake of "productivity" gains that accrue to a relative few. It's time to create businesses that treat humans with decency and respect.

We don't have to play their game.

The Challenge for Bootstrappers

Hundreds of billions of dollars pour into startups via venture capital every year. Yet, only 0.05% of startups receive VC investment. So, the overwhelming majority of startups—including bootstrappers—are competing against a relative few, much better capitalized companies.

And, whether your startup is directly competing with these juggernauts-in-the-making, we're all indirectly competing. After all, there's only so much attention (and money) to go around.

Talent is a strategic advantage, and a large share of early VC investment goes into hiring. This is especially true for non-capex intensive businesses like software companies, online platforms, and service-based startups.

Bootstrappers, on the other hand, generally don't have the capital for hiring talent, which puts them at a disadvantage—in terms of both quality and speed of execution. It's difficult for most anyone to do it all; let alone do it all well.

And, this is where Upsides fills the gap. We're helping our startups find co-founders, advisors, creators, and other skill sets they need to compete and win. Instead of being compensated with cash, these collaborators can earn equity, revenue sharing, or even barter.

But, It's Not Just The Money

The other advantage VC-backed companies have are access to vast networks from which to pull. In fact, a typical VC-firm will have built an entire ecosystem to support their portfolio companies. This includes advisors, skilled talent, other portfolio companies, media reach (social and otherwise) and more.

In fact, the survival rate for non-VC-backed companies is typically lower due to fewer resources, limited scalability, and lack of access to strategic networks, which VC-backed companies often have.

Building The Bootstrapping Ecosystem

So, Upsides is building the startup ecosystem for bootstrappers. Here, you'll be both a part of the network and a beneficiary of it. Imagine thousands of members with ready skills to tap. Imagine social media influencers an arms-length away and ready to promote your business for a share of the upside.

Imagine experienced advisors, ready to give you the benefit of their wisdom and help you with finance, strategy, operations and more.

In all, Upsides is bringing all stakeholders together to build this ecosystem, in which every member is a contributor and a beneficiary:

1. Startup founders and business owners: bring your talents, management skills and business (or idea). Focus on what you're good at and get the other skills / resources you need to help you succeed.
2. Co-Founders and other job roles: bring your skills and time and leverage them to build something special for a very real chance of financial freedom.
3. Influencers / Creators: offer access to your audience and content to convert limited income to unlimited upside, while helping great startups grow.
4. Advisors / Coaches: apply your wisdom and experience to help founders win and share the rewards.

Think of Upsides as a new economy, centered on ownership—that's equity and revenue-sharing—for all of the collaborators who are helping startups succeed.

Improving The Odds

Upsides also encourages you to put your eggs in multiple baskets instead of pouring years of your life into one or two endeavors. Likewise, you can play multiple roles in this ecosystem based on your skills and experience—an advisor to one business, a co-founder to another, etc.

Launch—or contribute for upside in—a number of businesses here. You may not become a billionaire, but you will create multiple paths to success and vastly improve your chances of getting to financial freedom.

The Upsides Platform Shares Revenue With You

In the Upsides spirit of collaborating for shared success and upside, we're also sharing revenue with members.

When you refer members, you'll earn a percentage of their membership fee for as long as they're a Premium member.

Just as we're working to connect people and businesses for shared upsides, we're sharing the upside with our members. This is your network, and it's all about that upside life. Learn more.

Our Ideals

Upsides is an inclusive space that honors and respects all individuals, irrespective of race, gender, sexual orientation, or other elements of identity.

However, we recognize the MAGA "movement" as antithetical to these ideals, and as a uniquely toxic and destructive force in modern times. As such, the MAGA ideology and its supporters are NOT welcome on the Upsides platform.