About
Clarence Bethea is the founder and former CEO of Upsie, a venture-backed insurtech company he built into an eight-figure business and led through its acquisition, raising more than $30 million in venture capital during his tenure. He subsequently worked at a venture capital firm with over $4.5 billion in assets under management. He is currently Managing Partner at What VCs Won't Say, where he advises founders on fundraising strategy, and also works as an executive coach, angel investor, and speaker.
Founder & Executive Chairman at Upsie
Intro paths
→
In turn, Clarence can intro founders to Upsie's investors below.
Upsie's investors · 6
Backstage CapitalLos Angeles · $50K checks · since 2018Bread And Butter Ventures, LlcMinneapolis · $100K – $250K checks · since 2018M25Chicago · $500K – $3M checks · since 2018Matchstick VenturesMinneapolis · $500K – $1.5M checks · since 2018TechstarsBoulder · $220K checks · since 2018True VenturesSan Francisco · $500K – $3M checks · since 2018
.png)
Experience
- What VCs Won't SayManaging Partnercurrent2026 — presentUnited States
- True VenturesInvestor/Executive in Residence2023 — 2026San Francisco Bay Area
- Saint Paul & Minnesota FoundationBoard Member2020 — 2024Minnesota, United States
- Upsie (Acquired by Akko)Founder & Executive Chairman2022 — 2023St Paul, Minnesota, United States
- Upsie (Acquired by Akko)Founder & CEO2012 — 2022Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul Area
- BETABoard Member2020 — 2023Minnesota, United States
- True VenturesVenture Scout2021 — 2023San Francisco Bay Area
- 2nd Chance Staffing LLC.CEO2009 — 2013Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul Area
- 43 Hoops IncSales Manager2007 — 2009Hopkins, MN
- GravelickTrucking Operator2005 — 2007Eagan, MN
Skills & more
Leadership Development47Coaching70Entrepreneurship19Business Development17Career Counseling2Community Outreach6Customer Service45Event Planning8Fundraising11Networking4New Business Development13Non-profits1
+12 more
Organizational DevelopmentProgram ManagementRecruitingResearchResume WritingSalesSocial MediaStaff DevelopmentPublic SpeakingLeadershipManagementStrategic PlanningFrom Clarence's professional profile.
Frequently asked questions
- Who is Clarence Bethea?
- Clarence Bethea is the founder and former CEO of Upsie, a venture-backed insurtech company he built into an eight-figure business and led through its acquisition, raising more than $30 million in venture capital during his tenure. He subsequently worked at a venture capital firm with over $4.5 billion in assets under management. He is currently Managing Partner at What VCs Won't Say, where he advises founders on fundraising strategy, and also works as an executive coach, angel investor, and speaker.
- Where does Clarence Bethea work?
- Clarence Bethea is Founder & Executive Chairman of Upsie.
- What companies did Clarence Bethea found?
- Clarence Bethea founded Upsie.
- Where did Clarence Bethea go to school?
- Clarence Bethea studied at Bemidji State University (Secondary Education); Cowley College.
Founder mafias
Techstars mafia582
Also came through, then founded or led a company.
Brad FeldCo-founderFounded TechstarsDavid CummingsTechstars Boulder Accelerator 2012Founded Undaunted +5Gleb ChuvpiloTechstars Boston Accelerator 2014Founded Pager +4Jagmeet LambaEntrepreneurshipFounded Certa +3Ben LammMentor & InvestorFounded Breaking +3T.J. ParkerTechstars Boston Accelerator 2013Founded Tjparker +2
+ 575 more
True Ventures mafia10
Also came through, then founded or led a company.
Richard BerwickTrue Entrepreneur Corps InternFounded Marker +1Mike MontanoInvestment TeamFounded BackTypeToni SchneiderInvestment TeamFounded AutomatticAnn Crady WeissVenture PartnerFounded HatchDave BalterVenture PartnerFounded Flipside CryptoLionel VitalTEC InternFounded Bandit ML
+ 3 more
Shared employers
Also worked at True Ventures50
Puneet AgarwalInvestor at True VenturesPhil BlackInvestor at True VenturesJon CallaghanFounder and Venture Capitalist in Palo Alto, CATony ConradInvestor at True VenturesAdam D'AugelliInvestor at True VenturesSoul DayanInvestor at True Ventures
+ 44 more
