The Upside Funding is rewriting the rules of proprietary trading. While most prop firms offer traders access to capital and profit splits, this Hong Kong-based firm goes further, offering long-term career opportunities, direct mentorship, and even salaries of up to $350,000 per year.
In a space crowded with challenge fees, hidden rules, and churn-based models, The Upside Funding stands out for one reason: they actually want you to succeed and they back that belief with money, support, and structure.
Founded in 2024 by two former Managing Directors from Citigroup, The Upside Funding brings over 60 years of combined institutional trading experience to the prop firm world. Their approach is rooted in mentorship, trader development, and building sustainable careers, not just quick profits.
Rather than treating traders like disposable participants in a challenge pipeline, they invest in each individual’s potential. From beginners to advanced traders, the firm offers a structured journey with capital scaling, 1:1 coaching, and eventually, full-time salaried roles.
Unlike most prop firms that stop at funding, The Upside Funding offers a Remote Trader Program, giving top performers the chance to earn a stable salary while trading firm capital from anywhere in the world.
With a clear, performance-based scaling plan (10% profit every 3 months = +25% capital increase), traders can grow from a $300K account to as much as $1.5M without paying extra fees.
Whether you choose the 1-Step or 2-Step challenge, there are no hidden rules, retests, or time traps. The structure is designed to reflect real-world trading not gaming the system.
Get one-on-one access to former HSBC and Citigroup MDs who’ve mentored institutional desks for decades. This isn’t just capital, it’s mentorship that helps you actually grow.
The Upside Funding focuses on long-term growth, not quick turnover. Traders aren’t seen as customers, they’re seen as future professionals, with support built for real careers.
Traders can choose between two evaluations depending on their style and risk appetite:
| Account Size | Fee | Profit Target | Drawdown | Profit Split | Consistency Rules | Refund |
| $5,000 | $40 | P1: 8%, P2: 5% | 4% Daily / 8% Max | 80% | No | Yes |
| $10,000 | $90 | P1: 8%, P2: 5% | 4% / 8% | 80% | No | Yes |
| $25,000 | $190 | P1: 8%, P2: 5% | 4% / 8% | 90% | No | Yes |
| $50,000 | $280 | P1: 8%, P2: 5% | 4% / 8% | 90% | No | Yes |
| $100,000 | $490 | P1: 8%, P2: 5% | 4% / 8% | 90% | No | Yes |
| Account Size | Fee | Profit Target | Max Drawdown | Profit Split | Consistency Rule | Refund |
| $5,000 | $40 | 10% | 4% Trailing | 80% | 30% | Yes |
| $10,000 | $90 | 10% | 4% Trailing | 80% | 30% | Yes |
| $25,000 | $190 | 10% | 4% Trailing | 90% | 30% | Yes |
| $50,000 | $280 | 10% | 4% Trailing | 90% | 30% | Yes |
| $100,000 | $490 | 10% | 4% Trailing | 90% | 30% | Yes |
Yes, The Upside Funding is a legitimate prop firm registered in Hong Kong. Their website clearly outlines their terms, evaluation model, and simulated trading environment. Unlike shady firms that make vague promises, this team has published media coverage, LinkedIn profiles, and a detailed public roadmap for trader development.
They’re not just selling challenges, they’re hiring traders. That’s a big difference.
If you’re looking for a firm that values performance over profit churn and offers a real future in trading, The Upside Funding is one of the few worth considering.
Their leadership comes from institutional trading. Their model prioritizes long-term success. And their offer of a full-time job with real paychecks shows they’re not just in this for challenge fees, they’re in this to build careers.