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 25, 2026.
Team · 7 people
from the firm's website
What they invest in
from 18 of 61 portfolio companiesSaaS ×8Enterprise Software ×7AI & Machine Learning ×5Marketing Tech ×5Data & Infrastructure ×4Cloud Computing ×3Sales Tech ×3AdTech ×2
HQs:United States×11
Who they back
founder profiles across 5 portfolio companiesAccelerator rootsportfolio companies that came through a program
Investments · 61 tracked
founders shown can be your intro pathBy year:2025 · 12022 · 12019 · 12016 · 14 dated
Harvard Bioscience develops and supplies life science research products and instruments used in the discovery, production, and safety/regulatory testing of new therapies.
BiotechHardwareMedical Devices
ZoomInfo is a B2B go-to-market intelligence platform that provides verified company and contact data, buying intent signals, and AI-driven workflow automation.
Data & InfrastructureMarketing TechSales TechVancouver, US
HENRY SCHUCK(Executive Officer, Director)Henry Schuck(Founder)inASHLEY MCGRANE(Executive Officer)MICHAEL GRAHAM O'BRIEN(Executive Officer)JAMES ROTH(Executive Officer)PETER CAMERON HYZER(Executive Officer)
Co-investorsConvergeEMERGENT VENTURESHalifax GroupRecall CapitalVenrock
Connectbase operates The Connected World, a location-intelligence and automation platform for buying and selling network connectivity.
Data & InfrastructureSaaSSales TechWestborough, US
Patrick Shutt(Director)Alexandre Villela(Director)Benjamin Edmond(Executive Officer, Director)Thomas D. Roberts III(Director)Stephen Joseph Sincavage(Executive Officer)Anthony Rossabi(Director)
Board seatMatt Fates· per SEC Form D
Co-investorsEquality Asset ManagementOsage Venture Partners
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
Benjamin Edmond(Executive Officer, Director)
BoardDominic Endicott(Director)Matthew Fates(Director)Sean Dowling(Director)inThomas Erskine(Director)
Board seatMatt Fates· per SEC Form D · $20.9M raise · filed Sep 2022
Co-investorsNXT VenturesOsage Venture PartnersNauta Capital
Promoboxx helps retailers and brands coordinate marketing activities and promotional campaigns at the local level.
AI & Machine LearningMarketing TechRetail TechBoston, US
Ben Carcio(Executive Officer, Director)Daniel Koziak(Executive Officer, Director)Jon Brancheauin
BoardLaurent Amouyal(Director)Nicole Stata(Director)Bill McCullen(Director)in
Board seatMatt Fates· per SEC Form D
Co-investorsLaunchCapitalTechstarsWalnut Venture AssociatesBoston Seed CapitalEdgeSK Ventures
Boston, US
Paul Paget(Executive Officer, Director)Edwin Marin(Executive Officer)Ed Pierce(Executive Officer)
BoardMaria Cirino(Director)inRichard Grinnell(Director)
Board seatMatt Fates· per SEC Form D · $13.1M raise · filed Apr 2016
Co-investors.406 Ventures
B2B marketing technology for prospect targeting; acquired by LinkedIn in 2014.
Co-investorsCrosslink Capital
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 SoftwareWaltham, US
Dorin Miller(Director)Yaron Samid(Director)Gil Zimmermann(Executive Officer, Director)
BoardLuke Burns(Director)
PartnerLuke Burns· led
Co-investorsBessemer Venture PartnersCedar Fund
Cloud ComputingDeveloper ToolsEnterprise SoftwareSaaSBrookline Village, US
Moritz Plassnig(CEO)inSacha Labourey(Co-founder)François Déchery(Co-founder)Manuel Weiss(Executive Officer)John SImon(Director)Florian Motlik(Executive Officer)
Co-investorsCamber PartnersF-Prime CapitalGolub GrowthMatrixNewView CapitalRembrandt Venture Partners+4 more
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.
Israeli security analytics startup behind an AI-driven, intent-based SIEM, acquired by Cybereason in July 2021.
PartnerLuke Burns· led
Co-investorsCRV (Charles River Ventures)Lockheed Martin VenturesSpark Capital
Exchange Solutions provides an AI-driven SaaS platform for building and running customer loyalty programs and personalized promotions.
AI & Machine LearningMarketing TechSaaS
Co-investorsPartners for GrowthPartners for Growth (PFG)VCFA Group
Advanced persistent threat protection; acquired by General Dynamics in 2012.
End-to-end network performance management software; acquired by NetIQ in 2000.
GR8 People develops a recruiting software platform designed to accelerate hiring workflows for talent acquisition teams.
Enterprise SoftwareHR TechSaaSNewtown, US
Diane Smith(Executive Officer, Director, Promoter)Jayne Kettles(Executive Officer, Director, Promoter)
BoardPaul Jacquin(Director)Ilonka Jankovich(Director)William Fillip(Director)
PartnerLuke Burns· led
Database data security platform; acquired by IBM in 2009.
Hologic develops medical technologies to detect, diagnose, and treat health conditions, with a focus on women's health.
FemTechHealthtechMedical Devices
Co-investorsBlackstoneTPG
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.
Co-investorsBantam Group
Invaluable is an online marketplace for fine art, antiques, and collectibles, partnering with over 5,000 auction houses to let collectors discover and bid on items.
ConsumerE-commerceMarketplaces
Co-investorsAlpana VenturesInsight Partners
Knoa provides task mining and user analytics software that captures how employees interact with enterprise applications such as SAP, delivering AI-powered insights to reduce user errors, optimize business processes, and support digital transformation.
AI & Machine LearningEnterprise SoftwareSaaS
Co-investorsGefinor Capital
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.
Nova operates a portfolio of platforms that develop, manufacture, and deliver test and measurement products used to monitor critical parameters across end markets including construction and infrastructure, geotechnical, water, environmental, civil engineering, aerospace, medical, energy, and research.
Advanced ManufacturingConstruction TechHardware
Technology products for water, wastewater and hydroelectric markets; acquired by Idex in 2008.
Data protection for cloud applications; acquired by Blue Coat in 2015.
Co-investorsPaladin Capital Group
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)
BoardLuke Burns(Director)inJason Whitmire(Director)Patrik Backman(Director)inNilanjana Bhowmik(Director)in
PartnerLuke Burns· led
Co-investorsBlossom Street VenturesConvergeEarlybird Venture CapitalNGP CapitalOpenOcean
Open remote access server technology; acquired by Excel Switching in 1999.
Cold chain visibility solutions; acquired by Carrier in 2006.
A social media marketing company that grows followers, engagement, and brand credibility across social platforms using incentivized real users and paid advertising campaigns rather than bots.
AdTechMarketing TechSocial
PartnerLuke Burns· led
Co-investorsARC Angel FundOsage Venture Partners
Co-investorsContour Venture PartnersinfoShareValence VenturesRed Sea VenturesScaleUP VenturesStudio VC
Start.io operates a sell-side omnichannel advertising platform that helps mobile app developers and website publishers monetize through ads and gives brands and agencies AI-processed first-party consumer signals for audience exploration and activation.
AdTechAI & Machine LearningMarketing Tech
Wide-band wireless communications systems; acquired by Tellabs in 1996.
Data-as-a-service platform; acquired by Informatica in 2014.
Synchronoss provides white label cloud software and digital experience platforms that help telecommunications and media companies connect subscribers with services, content, and each other.
Cloud ComputingEnterprise SoftwareSaaS
Co-investorsBalderton CapitalMutual Capital Partners
Co-investorsFontinalis Partners
Co-investorsBantam Group
Cambridge, US
Andrew Henshaw(Executive Officer, Director)Nigel Thomas(Executive Officer)John DiBartolomeo(Executive Officer)
BoardSean Marsh(Director)Scott Savitz(Executive Officer)inJeff Glass(Director)
Co-investorsData Point Capital
Software for computer chip design; IPO in 1991.
X-ray apparatus and tubes; IPO in 1996.
Interactive communications systems; acquired by Aspect in 1998.
Removable storage devices; acquired by SmartDisk in 2000.
Intraoperative systems for image-guided surgery; acquired by GE in 2002.
Mobile CRM software; acquired by MasterCard in 2004.
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.
Exits · 20
IPOs and acquisitions across the tracked portfolioHarvard BioscienceNASDAQ: HBIOZoominfoNASDAQ: GTMBusiness Layersacq. by NetegrityCodeshipacq. by CloudBeesComputer Identicsacq. by Robotic Vision SystemsCymfonyacq. by TNSFidelisacq. by General DynamicsGanymede Technologiesacq. by NetiqHubcastacq. by MimeoIndus Riveracq. by Cabletron Systemsnet2netacq. by Visual NetworksNetwork Intelligenceacq. by EmcNova Analyticsacq. by ITTPerspecSysacq. by Blue CoatPRIacq. by XircomRascomacq. by Excel SwitchingSensitechacq. by CarrierSteinbrecher Corporationacq. by TellabsStrikeIronacq. by InformaticaVST Technologiesacq. by SmartDisk
Portfolio news
latest coverage across their companies
Hologic · ad-hoc-news.de · Aug 18, 2026
Start · washingtontimes.com · Aug 18, 2026
Harvard Bioscience · investing.com · Aug 12, 2026
Connectbase · prnewswire.com · Dec 2, 2025
Codeship · upmarket.co · Aug 28, 2025
Frequently asked questions
- How many investments has Ascent Venture Partners made?
- Ascent Venture Partners has 59 tracked investments, 19 of which have exited via acquisition or IPO, including 1 dated in the last 24 months.
- 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.
- Who does Ascent Venture Partners co-invest with?
- Ascent Venture Partners most often shares deals with Bantam Group, Converge, Techstars, among 40 tracked co-investors.
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