Startup profile for Uptake: what they do, why they are interesting, stage (See coverage), industries, and links to our funding articles. Part of the Venture Capital Tracker startup directory.
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Uptake

Chicago industrial AI platform for predictive analytics and asset performance management in energy, rail, and heavy industry.

Stage

See coverage

Status

acquired

Coverage

full

Overview

Uptake Technologies builds predictive analytics and asset performance management software for industrial operators — monitoring equipment across energy, rail, manufacturing, and defense-adjacent fleets. Founded in Chicago in 2014 by Brad Keywell (and Eric Lefkofsky per some filings), the company partnered early with Caterpillar and Berkshire Hathaway Energy on fleet analytics. Venture rounds included a 2015 raise at ~$1B valuation, Revolution Growth participation in 2017 Series C, and a $117M Series D (Nov 2017) led by Baillie Gifford at $2.3B post-money. Total funding exceeded $250M. PitchBook listed a completed merger/acquisition by Bosch in March 2026.

Why Uptake is interesting

Brad Keywell's third Illinois unicorn — $2.3B post-money at Series D (Nov 2017) on industrial data from wind turbines to locomotives; Revolution Growth and Caterpillar on the cap table before Bosch announced acquisition (Mar 2026).

Key facts

  • Series D (Nov 2017): $117M led by Baillie Gifford; $2.3B post-money valuation — PR Newswire
  • Revolution Growth backed Uptake in 2017 Series C participation
  • Strategic partnerships with Caterpillar and Berkshire Hathaway Energy wind fleets
  • Bosch merger/acquisition completed Mar 2026 per PitchBook

Fundraising history

Series D

2017-11 $117M

Source: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/uptake-secures-117-million-in-series-d-funding-300563866.html

Investors in our directory

Funds linked from Uptake's profile — open a fund page for stage focus and related deal articles.

Revolution

Industries

AI & Machine Learning Enterprise SaaS Climate Tech

Related funding articles

Venture Capital Tracker pieces that cover Uptake's financing or category context.

FAQs about Uptake

Practical answers founders, operators, and investors typically search for.

Chicago, Illinois (West Grand Avenue area). The company also maintained offices in San Francisco, Houston, and other industrial hubs.
Brad Keywell — also co-founded Groupon and other Chicago tech companies. Industrial AI and data partnerships with Caterpillar were central to the early thesis.
PitchBook listed a completed merger/acquisition by Bosch in March 2026. Treat as an exit event — verify current product branding under Bosch for live diligence.
Maps directly to the Midwest 'industrial AI' venture narrative — enterprise data from physical assets, not consumer apps — with DC-linked growth capital (Revolution) on the cap table.
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Last updated: 2026-07-29