Upside
We're HiringCash Back Rewards Platform
Upside's mobile app lets users earn cash back rewards when they spend money at select stores, restaurants, and gas stations. The company prioritizes "radical transparency" in the workplace and offers benefits like unlimited PTO and learning and development opportunities to support a team that includes software engineers and product professionals.
Quick Facts
- Founded:
- 2016
- Headquarters:
- Washington, DC
- Industry:
- Fintech, Mobile Commerce
- Product:
- Cash Back Mobile App
- Culture:
- Radical Transparency
- Open Positions:
- 15+ roles
Company Overview
Upside is a fintech company that has revolutionized the way consumers earn rewards on everyday purchases. Through its mobile application, users can discover nearby businesses offering cash back rewards, make purchases, and receive real money deposited directly into their bank accounts or through other payout methods.
Founded in 2016, Upside has grown into a major player in the rewards and loyalty space by creating a win-win marketplace that benefits both consumers seeking value and businesses looking to attract profitable customers. The platform operates across three primary categories: gas stations, grocery stores, and restaurants.
💡 The Upside Model
Unlike traditional rewards programs tied to specific retailers or credit cards, Upside partners with thousands of businesses to offer personalized cash back deals. Users simply claim offers in the app, make purchases as normal, and receive actual cash back—not points or restricted credits. This transparency and simplicity has resonated with millions of users nationwide.
How Upside Works
1. Find Offers
Open the Upside app to discover cash back offers at nearby gas stations, restaurants, and stores. Offers are personalized based on your location and preferences.
2. Make Purchase
Claim an offer in the app, then pay with your linked credit or debit card at the business. No coupons or codes required—just shop normally.
3. Get Cash Back
Receive real cash back deposited to your bank account, PayPal, or as a gift card. Cash out anytime once you reach the minimum threshold.
Categories & Partners
⛽ Gas Stations
Earn cash back on every gallon of gas purchased at thousands of participating stations. This is often Upside's highest value category, with users saving significant amounts on fuel over time.
🛒 Grocery Stores
Get cash back on grocery purchases at select supermarkets and grocery chains. Stackable with existing loyalty programs for maximum savings.
🍽️ Restaurants
Earn rewards dining at local restaurants and national chains. Perfect for everyday meals and special occasions alike.
Value Proposition
For Consumers
- ✓Real Cash Back: Actual money, not points or restricted credits
- ✓No Extra Steps: Pay normally with your existing cards
- ✓Stackable Rewards: Use alongside other loyalty programs
- ✓Free to Use: No subscription fees or hidden costs
For Businesses
- ✓Customer Acquisition: Attract new customers with targeted offers
- ✓Performance-Based: Only pay for actual transactions
- ✓Data Insights: Understand customer behavior and preferences
- ✓Incremental Revenue: Capture customers who might otherwise go elsewhere
Company Culture: Radical Transparency
Upside is known in the tech industry for its commitment to "radical transparency"—a philosophy that emphasizes open communication, shared information, and honest feedback at all levels of the organization.
🌟 What Radical Transparency Means
- •Open Information Sharing: Company metrics, financials, and strategic decisions are shared broadly with the team
- •Direct Feedback Culture: Candid feedback is encouraged and expected at all levels
- •Inclusive Decision Making: Team members have visibility into and input on important decisions
- •Authentic Communication: Leaders communicate openly about both successes and challenges
Benefits & Perks
Unlimited PTO
Take the time you need to recharge and maintain work-life balance. Upside trusts team members to manage their time responsibly while meeting their commitments.
Learning & Development
Access to courses, conferences, books, and other resources to support continuous learning and professional growth. Upside invests in employee development.
Health & Wellness
Comprehensive health insurance, dental, vision, and wellness programs to keep team members healthy and supported.
Competitive Compensation
Market-rate salaries plus equity participation, allowing team members to share in the company's success.
Careers at Upside
🚀 Open Positions: 15+ Roles
Upside is hiring software engineers, product managers, data scientists, and other technical professionals to help scale the platform and enhance the user experience for millions of consumers and thousands of business partners.
Software Engineering Focus Areas
Mobile Development
Build and optimize the iOS and Android apps that millions of users rely on daily. Focus on performance, user experience, and feature innovation.
Backend & Platform Engineering
Develop scalable backend systems, APIs, and data pipelines supporting transaction processing, offer personalization, and business analytics.
Data Science & Machine Learning
Apply ML to personalize offers, predict user behavior, optimize pricing, and detect fraud. Leverage large-scale transaction data to drive insights.
Why Join Upside?
- ✓Work in a radically transparent culture
- ✓Build products used by millions of consumers
- ✓Unlimited PTO and learning opportunities
- ✓Tackle interesting technical challenges at scale
- ✓Collaborative, feedback-driven environment
- ✓Make a real impact on consumer savings
Technology & Scale
Upside operates at significant scale, processing millions of transactions and serving millions of users across thousands of business locations. The engineering team focuses on building reliable, performant systems that handle this volume while providing a seamless user experience.
Mobile-First
Native iOS and Android apps with focus on performance and UX
Cloud Infrastructure
Scalable cloud architecture supporting millions of users
Data & ML
Personalization and optimization powered by machine learning
Join a Transparent Tech Culture
Build the future of cash back rewards at Upside