Upgraded

Founded in April 2016 and based in San Francisco, Upgraded operates a platform that helps retailers and carriers sell consumer electronics, such as smartphones, laptops, and tablets, on a subscription basis. This service allows subscribers to pay monthly and upgrade their devices anytime. Upgraded offers comprehensive solutions including infrastructure for lender integrations, management of residual values, and software development tailored for device subscription programs. The company’s goal is to launch subscription programs rapidly, maintain high customer loyalty, and halve the device replacement cycles. Operating in a global device financing market valued at $541 billion, Upgraded has seen significant growth, particularly in US carrier financing which surged from $13 billion to $51 billion over four years. Key partners include major industry players such as Apple, Dixons/Elkjøp, MediaMarkt, and Vodafone. Upgraded, which participated in Y Combinator’s S16 batch, is supported by investors like Y Combinator and GRIL Ventures. The company maintains a small team of 13 employees and embraces a fully remote operational model across various regions including the United States and Canada.