1Up Ventures

1Up Ventures is a venture capital fund dedicated to supporting independent game developers. Founded by Ed Fries, a former Microsoft executive who played a pivotal role in the development of the Xbox, the fund is based in Kirkland, Washington. 1Up Ventures emphasizes building a diverse and inclusive community of talented, experienced, and creative indie game developers. The fund focuses exclusively on investing in game and content-focused studios, not platforms or tech-focused studios. 1Up Ventures typically does not act as a lead investor but supports founders through a community-driven approach. They invest a standard amount and percentage in their portfolio companies, emphasizing collaborative success. Key team members include Kelly Wallick, a partner and community builder who is also the founder of Indie MEGABOOTH, and Chris Wheaton, the fund administrator with extensive industry experience as a CFO, COO, and General Manager. The fund's portfolio features a variety of innovative game development studios, reflecting their commitment to a broad and inclusive portfolio approach.