What is Upper Hand?
Upper Hand operates at the intersection of sports technology and enterprise resource planning. By streamlining front-end customer engagement and back-end administrative workflows, the platform provides sports businesses with the tools necessary to optimize operational efficiency. The company's core value proposition lies in its ability to deliver customized software solutions and actionable business intelligence, which are critical for organizations aiming to maximize performance and revenue growth. Headquartered in Indiana, Upper Hand has positioned itself as a vital partner for sports facilities and organizations seeking to modernize their digital infrastructure through data-driven insights.
How much funding has Upper Hand raised?
Upper Hand has raised a total of $5.4M across 6 funding rounds:
Private Equity
$1M
Angel/Seed
$1M
Other Financing Round
$1.3M
Series A
$1.1M
Debt
$350K
Debt
$525K
Private Equity (2015): $1M, investors not publicly disclosed
Angel/Seed (2016): $1M led by Sheets Smith Wealth Management
Other Financing Round (2016): $1.3M supported by Don Courtney, Steve Schneider, and Larry Sablosky
Series A (2017): $1.1M featuring Larry Sablosky, Elevate Ventures, and Steve Schneider
Debt (2020): $350K backed by PPP
Debt (2021): $525K with participation from PPP
Key Investors in Upper Hand
Elevate Ventures
Elevate Ventures is an active participant in shaping the future of Indiana by investing in cross-sector innovation-driven companies at Pre-Seed, Seed, and Series A stages.
Sheets Smith Wealth Management
Sheets Smith is an independent Registered Investment Advisor focused on helping clients grow and retain their wealth while empowering them to achieve their financial goals.
Steve Schneider
Steve Schneider is a private investor and accomplished musician who has provided strategic backing to the company during its growth phases.
What's next for Upper Hand?
Following the recent infusion of capital, Upper Hand is well-positioned to accelerate its product development roadmap and expand its footprint within the competitive sports technology landscape. The strategic focus will likely shift toward deepening the integration of its marketing tools and enhancing the scalability of its software architecture to support larger enterprise clients. By leveraging its established history of diverse financing—ranging from early-stage angel support to structured debt—the company is prepared to navigate the next phase of its growth, focusing on long-term sustainability and market leadership in the sports management sector.
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