PartsPulse, an AI-powered platform designed to manage aftermarket parts businesses, has officially launched with $3 million in backing from UP.Partners. The company introduced its platform at CONEXPO in Las Vegas, positioning the technology as a unified system to help manufacturers, dealers, and fleet operators better manage complex parts operations.
The startup aims to address longstanding challenges across the aftermarket parts ecosystem, where fragmented supply chains and disconnected business systems often hinder efficiency. Sales teams frequently lack visibility into pricing strategies, pricing teams do not have comprehensive customer or market insights from sales operations, and inventory planners struggle to access real-time demand signals. These operational silos create inefficiencies across the entire value chain, from original equipment manufacturers seeking growth opportunities to equipment owners simply needing the right part at the right place and time.
PartsPulse has developed a platform that integrates inventory planning, pricing optimization, and sales intelligence into a single AI-powered command center. The company describes its technology as the industry’s first unified solution designed specifically to help organizations unlock the full value of their parts businesses.
The platform was built in partnership with UP.Labs and co-developed alongside Wabash, a manufacturer of trailers and transportation equipment. Using large volumes of sales, customer, and inventory data, the system analyzes operations to identify anomalies, highlight inefficiencies, and uncover revenue opportunities.
The company is also developing a managed dealer inventory solution to strengthen collaboration between OEMs and their distribution partners. By creating tighter connections between manufacturers and dealers, the platform seeks to improve forecasting, ensure parts availability, and increase overall supply chain efficiency.
PartsPulse was founded by Steve Blanco, a technology executive and serial entrepreneur with experience building enterprise SaaS platforms. Blanco previously spent 12 years at Documoto, a Denver-based software platform used by more than 160 equipment manufacturing brands in 117 countries. During his tenure, including several years as CEO, he oversaw the company’s growth and its acquisition by Valstone Corporation in December 2024.
The new funding from UP.Partners will support product development, team expansion, and customer growth across North America. PartsPulse is the first company launched from UP.Labs’ Manufacturing Venture Lab, which was created in partnership with Wabash to develop technologies aimed at modernizing industrial and manufacturing operations.
UP.Labs operates additional venture labs focused on the physical economy in collaboration with corporate innovation teams from companies including Alaska Airlines and Porsche.
KEY QUOTES:
“Parts has become one of the most strategic and under-optimized areas of manufacturing. OEMs and dealers are managing millions of dollars in inventory and complex channel relationships with fragmented systems that were never built to work together. PartsPulse gives leaders a real-time, AI-optimized view of their entire parts operation so they can uncover where growth opportunities exist, price with confidence, and stock the right parts at the right time.”
Steve Blanco, Founder And CEO Of PartsPulse
“The aftermarket parts business is a massive, underserved market that’s critical to keeping the physical economy moving. PartsPulse is building something unique and differentiated: an AI platform that equips parts leaders to use their businesses as strategic assets. Steve and his team have the experience and vision to make this product the standard for the industry.”
Ben Marcus, Co-Founder And Managing Partner At UP.Partners
