Upfront Ventures

We're Upfront.

[Upfront Ventures @upfrontvc]

"Today, we're excited to share that @a16z led General Translation's Series A, and Martin Casado (@martin_casado) and Jennifer Li (@JenniferHli) have been great partners. Archie (@archiemckenzie_) set out to make the world's best software speak every language, and he's only getting started. We couldn't be prouder to be on this journey with him." - Aditi Maliwal (@gimmedadeetz)

Read Aditi's full commentary on why we bet early on @generaltxn!

[Aditi Maliwal @gimmedadeetz]

We led @generaltxn seed when it was just @archiemckenzie_ .. These days I get to work out of their office & spend time with the team every day. I’ve watched them build something special, pumped for this team!! https://t.co/ijMAVo2a1l

[Archie McKenzie @archiemckenzie_]

@jdsisteron @gimmedadeetz Thank you Jacques. It's been a pleasure and a privilege working with you and the Upfront team!

[Kerry Bennett @KerryKB]

@upfrontvc @a16z @martin_casado @JenniferHli @archiemckenzie_ True story: I've seen nearly 100 companies present at our AGMs over the years and @archiemckenzie_ was in the top 10 AT LEAST. Storytelling matters, kids!

[General Translation @generaltxn]

Today, General Translation is announcing our $27m Series A and Seed, led by @a16z and @upfrontvc.

We localize products used by millions at the fastest-growing category leaders like Ramp, Cursor, Sierra, Profound, Okta, Partiful, and ClickHouse.

Sign up at https://t.co/5a7OAxArHR.

[Upfront Ventures @upfrontvc]

@jdsisteron @RainmakerCorp Eyes are peeled! 👀🌧️🌧

[Jacques Sisteron @jdsisteron]

Extraordinary milestone by @RainmakerCorp today. Rainmaker published their first peer-reviewed article in Atmosphere, documenting and validating over 140M gallons of precipitation during the 2025-26 cloud seeding season.

Keep your eyes peeled for more validation in 2027 👀

Rainmaker century

[Upfront Ventures @upfrontvc]

@NatalieFratto @chartsncrafts @RainmakerCorp @brexHQ @ADoricko @lowercarbon @atoneventures @fifthwallvc @garrytan @noavctech cc @jdsisteron @nickbkim

[Upfront Ventures @upfrontvc]

@NatalieFratto @chartsncrafts @RainmakerCorp @brexHQ @ADoricko @lowercarbon @atoneventures @fifthwallvc @garrytan @noavctech This is good!

[Natalie Fratto @NatalieFratto]

This startup pulled 19 million gallons of water out of the sky in 3 hours with drones.

Our latest @chartsncrafts episode on @RainmakerCorp, in partnership with our friends @brexHQ - featuring maybe the prettiest clouds and snow I've ever drawn

[Archie McKenzie @archiemckenzie_]

@gimmedadeetz @generaltxn So wonderful to work with you!

[General Translation @generaltxn]

@gimmedadeetz @archiemckenzie_ We're so lucky to work with the best investors in the business, deeply appreciate your support ♥️

[Aditi Maliwal @gimmedadeetz]

We led @generaltxn seed when it was just @archiemckenzie_ .. These days I get to work out of their office & spend time with the team every day. I’ve watched them build something special, pumped for this team!! https://t.co/ijMAVo2a1l

[Archie McKenzie @archiemckenzie_]

General Translation has raised $27m led by @martin_casado at @a16z to localize the world’s best companies.

Today, @generaltxn serves Ramp, Cursor, and Sierra by translating apps, sites, docs, slide decks, and even product videos into dozens of languages.

a16z invested alongside @upfrontvc, Peter Thiel, Fei-Fei Li, and more. 🧵

[Hustle Fund 🦛🌽💛 @HustleFundVC]

OK, real talk--who is ACTUALLY actively writing new checks to founders these days? Respond below with:

1. Name of fund
2. Size of check
3. Stage you invest
4. How founders can engage.

In this environment of fear, founders could benefit from this roll call. GO.

[Kesar Varma @kesarvarma]

@HustleFundVC 1. Upfront Ventures
2. $2-6M
3. Seed, Pre-seed
4. Send me an email [email protected] and I’ll set up a meeting!

[Peter Zakin @pzakin]

Have a few inception-stage companies I'm working with... who are the best infra angels (< $150k checks) that should be on my radar?

[Peter Zakin @pzakin]

Going to be in SF tomorrow and have a few open slots. If we’re mutuals or you’re building something great in dev tools or AI, hmu!

[Upfront Ventures @upfrontvc]

Computers for agents? Count us in!

We’re thrilled to double down with our early and growth funds in Daytona’s 60M Series B announced this week!

Led by our fellow VCs at @FirstMarkCap alongside insiders like @PaceCap and @e2mindset, and a fantastic group of new angels and strategics joined as well: @patrickc, @tobi, @AravSrinivas, @BrendanFoody, @oliveur, @adamdangelo, @ericsyuan, @QualcommVenture, @SamsungNext, @okta Ventures, and more.

Dive deeper into our decision on why we stay on the Daytona train in ‘Thoughts’ from Upfront and our partners @kevinyzhang and @pzakin: https://t.co/6gzlPr0Fpn

[Speed Dial @speeddialtv]

Speed Dial, Episode 1 is live.

@msuster on why software still has value in a world of AI agents.

@Timbaland on building AI tools for his studio, and why now is the time to get in.

Also this week: micro1's $1B bet on company data, Coatue on AI outgrowing the railroads, Starlink's push to become a phone carrier, and the flying Tesla Roadster.

Hosted by @atlasberry008.

0:00 Intro and this week's rundown
1:16 Chamath: Is software IP dead?
1:47 Headless software, MCP and selling to AI agents
3:36 micro1's $1B plan to buy company data
5:26 Coatue: AI is bigger than the railroads
6:46 The 10x gap in AI spending
7:31 Starlink becomes a phone carrier
9:08 The flying Tesla Roadster
11:38 Calling Mark Suster
12:25 Mark Suster: Software isn't dead
13:22 Building software for AI agents
14:26 Should you sell your data to Micro1?
15:31 Mark on Starlink becoming a carrier
16:16 Where Mark is investing five years out
18:23 AI infrastructure and the US vs China
20:09 Mark's book picks: Chip War and Freedom's Forge
22:15 Calling Timbaland: AI tools for making music
24:40 Timbaland: The door might close in 2 years
25:32 Timbaland: Flying cars with Elon
26:47 Timbaland on building Verzuz
27:46 What we learned

[Peter Zakin @pzakin]

Just astonishing growth. An absolute privilege for @kevinyzhang and me to triple down since leading at seed.

@ivanburazin and @JukicVedran are exceptional entrepreneurs.