Upscale AI Raises $5.5 Million To Make Streaming Ads Smarter

What was once a game of mass messaging and generic campaigns has evolved into a highly personalized, data-driven experience where brands can anticipate consumer preferences, craft dynamic content, and optimize engagement in real time. AI is redefining the entire landscape of marketing.

Imagine an ad that knows you better than you know yourself. AI-driven algorithms analyze browsing habits, purchase history, and behavioral cues to deliver hyper-relevant ads at just the right moment, making traditional guesswork obsolete. Meanwhile, generative AI is modifying  content creation, enabling brands to instantly produce text, images, and even high-quality video ads with minimal human intervention. This shift is not only accelerating production cycles but also making advertising more efficient and accessible for businesses of all sizes.

With streaming services dominating consumer attention, 99% of U.S. households subscribe to at least one platform, and streaming now takes up 40% more screen time than social media as the demand for effective advertising tools has never been higher. Companies like Netflix, Amazon, Disney, Roku, and Walmart (Vizio) are investing heavily in AI-driven advertising strategies, making streaming the next major frontier for performance marketing.

Upscale AI, established by former adtech executives from Google, Twitter, Salesforce, Moloco, and MNTN, offers an automated, scalable, and measurable performance channel by integrating generative AI for producing high-quality videos and machine learning-powered programmatic buying. This approach transforms conventional TV advertising.

Upscale AI’s Studio stands out as an AI-native platform that automates the creation, deployment, and optimization of streaming TV ads. By leveraging generative AI, the platform transforms existing brand assets such as social media content and website materials into high-quality, personalized video advertisements suitable for streaming platforms. This approach both accelerates the creative process and ensures that the content resonates with targeted audiences.

Beyond content creation, Upscale AI employs machine learning algorithms to manage programmatic media buying. These algorithms analyze first-party data to target specific audience segments on streaming platforms, optimizing for key performance indicators like views, sign-ups, and purchases. This holistic approach ensures that brands can seamlessly manage their streaming TV ad campaigns within a single, AI-powered ecosystem.

The company’s innovative approach has attracted significant investor interest, bringing it out of stealth mode. It has successfully secured $5.5 million in funding from investors including M12 (Microsoft’s Venture Fund), nvp capital, Eniac Ventures, SuperAngel.Fund, and Breakpoint Capital.

Microsoft’s continued investment in foundational AI technologies aligns with Upscale AI’s mission as Michael Stewart, Managing Partner at M12 said, “Upscale AI’s platform fits with Microsoft’s vision of enabling companies of all sizes to tap into AI technology for real-world, business value generating AI-native applications.”

Upscale Studio launches in beta for select ecommerce brands, with early adopters Branch Furniture and Lalo already benefiting from faster production, simplified campaign execution, and measurable ROI from streaming investments.As Michael Wieder, Co-Founder, President & CMO, at Lalo, mentioned, “Upscale’s data-driven platform helped us quickly identify the right channels and times to reach our core audience. The results speak for themselves: higher engagement, better ROI, and more efficient ad spend. They’ve been a key partner in scaling our brand.”