ACQ2 by Acquired Reinventing Upfront and building LA (with Upfront partner Kevin Zhang)
Mar 28, 2019
Kevin Zhang, Partner at Upfront Ventures, shares insights on the evolution of the LA tech ecosystem and Upfront's emergence from its roots in retail. He discusses the importance of rebranding for transparency and alignment with values. The conversation dives into the growth of the LA venture community, highlighting the dynamic Upfront Summit. Kevin emphasizes gaming as a lucrative investment area and the crucial need for talent acquisition in that sector, along with the continuous evolution in game design to keep players engaged.
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Chamillionaire as EIR
- Upfront Ventures brought on Chamillionaire as an Entrepreneur in Residence (EIR).
- He leveraged Upfront's resources to launch his company, Combos.
Upfront Ventures Rebranding
- Upfront Ventures underwent a significant rebranding in 2013, including a name change, office move, and new fund.
- This rebranding aimed to better connect with entrepreneurs and reflect the firm's values.
Meaning Behind "Upfront"
- The name "Upfront" reflects the firm's commitment to transparency and accountability with entrepreneurs.
- The name also has a subtle connection to LA's entertainment industry upfronts.