Ascent Venture Partners
Venture capitalBedford · Seed–Series B · 7 people tracked
Also known as ASCENT VENTURE MANAGEMENT, INC
Investment thesis
Ascent is a venture capital firm dedicated solely to enterprise technology. With over thirty years of investing experience and a team that has largely worked together for more than a decade, the firm brings 100+ years of collective B2B expertise. It partners selectively with early-stage companies positioned to become leaders in their markets, offering a deep, relevant network, active engagement, and long operating experience. The firm has invested across six funds totaling roughly $500 million, backing 100+ companies and supporting 60+ M&As and IPOs.
Source: firm website, verified Aug 3, 2026.
Team · 7 people
from the firm's website
What they invest in
from 7 of 63 portfolio companiesEnterprise Software ×4AI & Machine Learning ×2Cloud Computing ×2Data & Infrastructure ×2Developer Tools ×2SaaS ×2Consumer ×1Cybersecurity ×1
HQs:United States×8
Investments · 63 tracked
founders shown can be your intro pathWestborough, US
Sean Dowling(Director)Patrick Shutt(Director)Alexandre Villela(Director)Benjamin Edmond(Executive Officer, Director)Matt Fates(Director)Thomas D. Roberts III(Director)
Board seatMatt Fates· per SEC Form D · filed Apr 2025
Connectbase (Connected2Fiber) provides a location-intelligence and automation platform called The Connected World for network and connectivity providers to automate buying and selling processes, including addressable-market mapping, pricing, quoting (CPQ), and supplier management.
Data & InfrastructureSaaSSales TechHopkinton, US
Thomas Erskine(Director)Dominic Endicott(Director)Benjamin Edmond(Executive Officer, Director)Matthew Fates(Director)Sean Dowling(Director)
Board seatMatt Fates· per SEC Form D · $20.9M raise · filed Sep 2022
Promoboxx helps retailers and brands coordinate marketing activities and promotional campaigns at the local level.
AI & Machine LearningMarketing TechRetail TechBoston, US
Laurent Amouyal(Director)Daniel Koziak(Executive Officer, Director)Nicole Stata(Director)Ben Carcio(Executive Officer, Director)
BoardBill McCullen(Director)
Board seatMatt Fates· per SEC Form D
Boston, US
Paul Paget(Executive Officer, Director)Scott Chasin(Director)Edwin Marin(Executive Officer)Maria Cirino(Director)Matt Fates(Director)Ed Pierce(Executive Officer)
Board seatMatt Fates· per SEC Form D · $13.1M raise · filed Apr 2016
B2B marketing technology for prospect targeting; acquired by LinkedIn in 2014.
Standards-based user provisioning products; acquired by Netegrity in 2003.
Cisco Cloudlock is a cloud access security broker (CASB) that protects cloud users and data by enforcing security policies, preventing malware spread, and limiting data exfiltration in cloud applications.
Cloud ComputingCybersecurityEnterprise Software
PartnerLuke Burns· led
CloudBees provides continuous integration and continuous delivery (CI/CD) software and services for enterprise teams building and delivering applications at scale.
Cloud ComputingDeveloper ToolsEnterprise Software
Sacha Labourey(Co-founder)François Déchery(Co-founder)
PartnerLuke Burns· led
Data collection and material handling for industrial markets; acquired by Robotic Vision Systems in 1996.
Software-based performance analysis and reporting for computer networks; IPO in 1997.
Wireless and IoT security platform protecting against threats from connected devices.
Brand monitoring software and service; acquired by TNS in 2007.
Software platform for document scanning and distribution; acquired by Nuance in 2009.
PartnerLuke Burns· led
Advanced persistent threat protection; acquired by General Dynamics in 2012.
End-to-end network performance management software; acquired by NetIQ in 2000.
Newtown, US
Paul Jacquin(Director)Ilonka Jankovich(Director)Diane Smith(Executive Officer, Director, Promoter)William Fillip(Director)Jayne Kettles(Executive Officer, Director, Promoter)
PartnerLuke Burns· led
Database data security platform; acquired by IBM in 2009.
VPN products; acquired by Cabletron Systems in 2001.
CRM advisory and cloud integration services; acquired by Cloud Sherpas in 2013.
Parallel computing technology; acquired by Microsoft in 2009.
Invaluable operates an online marketplace and mobile app for participating in auctions, letting users bid on lots, receive outbid notifications, and set auction reminders.
ConsumerE-commerceMarketplaces
Touch screens for ATMs, cash registers and kiosks; IPO in 1992.
Testing and management system for ATM and high-performance communication networks; acquired by Visual Networks in 1998.
Integrated server appliances for delivering information and applications over the internet; IPO in 2000.
Security event management software; acquired by EMC in 2006.
Analytical instrumentation technology; acquired by ITT in 2010.
Technology products for water, wastewater and hydroelectric markets; acquired by Idex in 2008.
Data protection for cloud applications; acquired by Blue Coat in 2015.
Software platform for separately managed accounts; acquired by Envestnet in 2014.
Computer network products and software; acquired by Xircom in 1995.
RapidMiner is an enterprise AI and analytics platform that unifies disparate data sources and activates insights through advanced analytics, machine learning, and generative AI capabilities to modernize organizational systems.
AI & Machine LearningData & InfrastructureEnterprise SoftwareCambridge, US
Ingo Mierswa(Executive Officer, Director)Peter Lee(Executive Officer, Director)Luke Burns(Director)Jason Whitmire(Director)Patrik Backman(Director)Nilanjana Bhowmik(Director)
PartnerLuke Burns· led
Open remote access server technology; acquired by Excel Switching in 1999.
Cold chain visibility solutions; acquired by Carrier in 2006.
PartnerLuke Burns· led
Wide-band wireless communications systems; acquired by Tellabs in 1996.
Data-as-a-service platform; acquired by Informatica in 2014.
Managed mobility solutions for service providers and enterprises; IPO in 2006.
Cambridge, US
Andrew Henshaw(Executive Officer, Director)Nigel Thomas(Executive Officer)Sean Marsh(Director)Jeff Glass(Director)John DiBartolomeo(Executive Officer)
BoardScott Savitz(Executive Officer)
Software for computer chip design; IPO in 1991.
X-ray apparatus and tubes; IPO in 1996.
Interactive communications systems; acquired by Aspect in 1998.
Rows marked “SEC filing” are inferred from directors named on the company's SEC Form D — public regulatory data, not a portfolio list published by the firm.
Frequently asked questions
- What stage does Ascent Venture Partners invest at?
- Ascent Venture Partners invests at the Seed, Series A, Series B stages.
- What sectors does Ascent Venture Partners focus on?
- Ascent Venture Partners focuses on AI & Machine Learning, Cybersecurity, Data & Infrastructure, Enterprise Software, SaaS.
- Where is Ascent Venture Partners located?
- Ascent Venture Partners is headquartered in Bedford, US.
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