Upscale AI Launches With $5.5M in Funding and Unveils ‘Upscale Studio' — the First AI-Native Platform to Create and Run Performance TV Ads on Streaming Channels
SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--With over 99% of U.S. households subscribing to at least one streaming service and Americans spending 40% more time watching streaming than social media, it's clear the next frontier for performance advertising is streaming TV.
AI startup is helping ecommerce brands make, run, and optimize TV ads using generative AI and machine learning; opens Beta for brands to join.
Today, Upscale AI launches to help ecommerce brands win on Streaming. With $5.5 million in seed and pre-seed funding, Upscale launches Upscale Studio —the first end-to-end AI-native platform built to create, run, and optimize performance TV ads across streaming.
Seed funding round was led by nvp capital with participation from M12 (Microsoft's Venture Fund), Eniac Ventures, SuperAngel.Fund and Breakpoint Capital.
Founded by industry veterans from Google, Twitter, Salesforce, Moloco, and MNTN, Upscale AI combines generative AI for high-quality video creation with machine learning-driven programmatic buying, turning traditional TV ads into a performance channel that's automated, scalable, and measurable.
'With streaming platforms like Netflix, Amazon, Disney, and even Walmart [Vizio] going all-in on advertising, we believe it's time for a new generation of AI-native tools that help brands meet this moment,' said Herman Yang, co-founder and CEO of Upscale AI. 'Upscale Studio is our answer: a full-stack creative and media engine for streaming video that's designed from the ground up for performance marketers.'
Introducing Upscale Studio: Creative + Media + Optimization, All in One
With Upscale Studio, ecommerce brands can:
Auto-generate streaming-ready video ads using website and social assets
Launch campaigns via real-time programmatic bidding across leading CTV platforms
Track and optimize performance with integrated ML-powered analytics and targeting tools
Beta access to Upscale Studio opens for select ecommerce brands. Early adopters like Branch Furniture and Lalo are already using the platform to speed up production cycles, simplify campaign execution, and drive measurable returns from their streaming investments.
'Upscale has transformed how we approach TV advertising,' said Michael Wieder, Co-Founder, President & CMO, at Lalo. 'Their data-driven platform helped us quickly identify the right channels and times to reach our core audience. The results speak for themselves: higher engagement, better ROI, and more efficient ad spend. They've been a key partner in scaling our brand.'
The launch also aligns with Microsoft's broader strategy of enabling the next wave of AI-native vertical solutions for businesses.
'Microsoft has been at the forefront of investing in foundational AI—and we're equally excited to support the next generation of AI applications built on top of that,' said Michael Stewart, Managing Partner at M12. 'Upscale AI's platform fits with Microsoft's vision of enabling companies of all sizes to tap into AI technology for real-world, business value generating AI-native applications. '
A New Era for Streaming and Video Advertising
Upscale AI's launch comes amid a wave of investment and innovation in the streaming ad ecosystem:
Netflix has rolled out its Ad Suite, for creative development
Amazon Prime Video is building its own genAI tools for advertisers
Roku added interactive ads
Walmart's acquisition of Vizio
'Streaming is rapidly becoming the next performance marketing frontier,' said Dan Borok, Managing Partner at nvp capital. 'Upscale AI is positioned to help brands capitalize on this shift with a platform that blends AI-driven creative, precise media execution, and measurable results.'
About Upscale AI
Upscale AI helps ecommerce brands tap into the power of streaming TV and video for performance advertising. Its flagship product, Upscale Studio, is the first AI-native platform to handle creative generation, programmatic media buying, and real-time optimization for Streaming TV ads. The company is backed by top-tier VCs and led by ad tech veterans from Google, Twitter, Salesforce, Moloco, and MNTN.
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