Investment thesis
Ascend is a financial operations platform built specifically for the insurance industry, combining AI-powered accounting automation, payments, and premium financing in a vertically integrated solution.
Source: firm website, verified Jul 30, 2026.
What they invest in
from 4 of 5 portfolio companiesAI & Machine Learning ×4Deep Tech ×2Hardware ×2AgTech ×1Cleantech ×1Data & Infrastructure ×1Defense Tech ×1Enterprise Software ×1
HQs:United States×3
Investments · 5 tracked
founders shown can be your intro pathBy year:2025 · 22024 · 13 dated
Clarify is an AI-native CRM for B2B startups that uses agents to handle prospecting, lead qualification, follow-ups, and other revenue workflows.
AI & Machine LearningSaaSSales Tech
Patrick Thompson(Founder)in
Co-investorsAscend Venture CapitalFikaRecall CapitalVermilion Cliffs VenturesESSENCEGradient Ventures
Mill Creek, US
Tammy Savage(Executive Officer, Director)
BoardAnthony Bontrager(Director)inRodney Clark(Director)
Co-investorsLong Way VenturesVoyager CapitalWestRiver GroupCascade Seed Fund
Hearvana is developing acoustic intelligence technology aimed at enhancing listening capabilities for both humans and machines.
AI & Machine LearningDeep TechHardware
Shyam Gollakota(Founder)Malek Itani(Founder)inTuochao Chen(Founder)
Co-investorsAllen Institute for AI (AI2) IncubatorAscend Venture CapitalJ4 VenturesPoint72 VenturesSCB 10XAI2 Incubator+5 more
Kamiwaza offers a distributed AI orchestration platform that processes data where it resides, allowing enterprises to deploy AI without centralizing data or compromising security.
AI & Machine LearningData & InfrastructureEnterprise SoftwareGovTechSilverthorne, US
Matthew Wallace(Executive Officer, Director)Luke Matthew Norris(Executive Officer, Director)
Co-investorsAscend Venture CapitalCitta CapitalFirstMile VenturesGreater Colorado Venture FundPioneer Square VenturesS3 Ventures
Revolve Robotics develops inspection, surveillance, and maintenance robots for hard-to-reach industrial environments, with applications in inspection, construction, security, public safety, and defense sectors.
AgTechAI & Machine LearningCleantechDeep TechDefense TechHardwarePropTechRoboticsSpace TechScottsdale, US
Co-investorsTechstarsANIMO VenturesPlug and Play Ventures
Portfolio news
latest coverage across their companiesClarify · geekwire.com · Jul 21, 2026
Revolute Robotics · massrobotics.org · Oct 14, 2025
Fund performance · per public LP disclosures
as of Sep 2025| Fund | Vintage | Committed | Net IRR | TVPI | DPI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ascend Fund IILPs: Teachers' Retirement System of Oklahoma | 2023 | — | — | 1.03x | 0.00x |
Source: public limited-partner disclosures (CalPERS, CalSTRS). Net IRR / TVPI / DPI as reported by the limited partner; a fund's early-year IRR is an interim estimate (J-curve).
Frequently asked questions
- What stage does Ascend invest at?
- Ascend invests at the Seed, Series B stages.
- What sectors does Ascend focus on?
- Ascend focuses on AI & Machine Learning, Fintech, InsurTech, SaaS.
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