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Hupside

Category: AI in Education

A science-backed platform that empowers organizations to measure, elevate, and leverage human originality in an AI-driven world. Hupside was founded in 2023. The company is led by Jonathan Aberman. Based in Arlington, Virginia, USA. Team size: 11-50. Total funding raised: $1.7 million. Latest round: Pre-seed. Key investors include Ruxton Ventures.

Founded
2023
Headquarters
Arlington, Virginia, USA
Team size
11-50
Total funding
$1.7 million

Value proposition

To unlock the true value of AI by putting human originality at the center of transformation, helping organizations identify and cultivate employees who work best with AI.

Products and solutions

Hupchecker (assessment tool), Original Intelligence Quotient (OIQ) framework, Training and playbook for AI transformation

Unique value

Focus on measuring and cultivating 'Original Intelligence' (human creativity and insight) as the missing link for successful AI adoption, rather than focusing on the AI technology itself.

Target customer

Businesses, government agencies, and other organizations looking to improve AI adoption and team performance.

Industries served

Government, Technology, Venture Capital, Professional Services

Technology advantage

Proprietary, science-backed assessment tool (Hupchecker) and framework (OIQ) developed by a team with expertise in venture capital, neuroscience, and emerging technologies. The core IP is co-invented by a PhD in Cognitive and Behavioral Science.

How they differentiate

Hupside differentiates itself by focusing on what it calls "Original Intelligence (OI)" — the unique human ability for creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving. Instead of replacing humans with AI, Hupside's platform, Hupchecker, is designed to measure and enhance these human skills to work in conjunction with AI, aiming to prevent the "sameness at scale" that can result from over-reliance on AI.

Main competitors

General AI adoption consulting firms, Corporate training and assessment companies, Other AI-powered talent and skill management platforms

Key partnerships

Appointment of the Navy's Chief Technology Officer to its advisory board.

Notable customers

Not publicly available.

Major milestones

Closed a $1.7 million pre-seed funding round., Launched the Hupchecker platform, an Original Intelligence assessment tool., Former U.S. Navy CTO, Justin Fanelli, joined the company's advisory board.

Growth metrics

As an early-stage private company, specific growth metrics are not publicly available.

Market positioning

Hupside is positioned as a human-centered AI adoption platform for enterprises. It targets organizations struggling with the ROI of their AI investments by providing a solution that focuses on the human element of digital transformation. Their messaging targets the problem of failed AI implementations and the need to cultivate human originality as a competitive advantage.

Geographic focus

Based in Washington, D.C., Hupside's initial focus appears to be the U.S. market, with a potential emphasis on enterprise and government sectors in the region.

Patents and IP

Publicly available patent information not found, but the company claims to have core intellectual property co-invented by Dr. Dan Johnson.

About Jonathan Aberman

Managing Director at Amplifier Venture Partners, Dean of the College of Business, Innovation, Leadership and Technology at Marymount University, Founder of TandemNSI.

Official website: