First Ascent Ventures
Venture capitalToronto · Series A–Late Stage · 7 people tracked
Investment thesis
First Ascent Ventures backs enterprise software companies leveraging cloud, AI, machine learning, big data, 5G, mobility, blockchain and IoT, with an added focus on privacy and security. It typically invests from the Series A/B round onward in companies with growing monthly recurring revenue, strong products and top-tier customer references. The firm requires a board seat and actively assists management teams in scaling globally, offering not just capital but the operating and transaction experience of its team across IPOs, follow-on financings and M&A. FAV Fund I ($100M) is fully invested and FAV Fund II ($125M) closed in August 2021.
Source: firm website, verified Aug 3, 2026.
Team · 7 people
from the firm's website & public directories
What they invest in
from 3 of 5 portfolio companiesSaaS ×3AI & Machine Learning ×2Creator Economy ×1Cybersecurity ×1Data & Infrastructure ×1Enterprise Software ×1LegalTech ×1Marketing Tech ×1
HQs:Canada×2United States×1
Investments · 5 tracked
founders shown can be your intro path
Darwin CX is a SaaS platform for publishers and membership-based organizations that uses real-time customer data to improve acquisition and retention rates while reducing fulfillment costs.
AI & Machine LearningCreator EconomyEnterprise SoftwareMarketing TechMedia & EntertainmentSaaSToronto, CA
Liam Lynch(Founder)
Co-investorsNew Era Capital PartnersTeralys Capital
Potloc operates an AI-assisted, expert-led survey platform that uses social media sampling to source respondents and deliver primary market research insights.
AI & Machine LearningData & InfrastructureSaaSMontreal, CA
Rodolphe Barrere(Co-Founder & CEO)inLouis Delaoustre(Co-Founder & COO)Julien Smith(Director)
BoardVidal Romain(Director)Jaccques Perreault(Director)
Co-investorsBrightspark VenturesEcofuel FundCAP HORN VCDesjardins Capital
Co-investorsAccess Venture PartnersAdit Ventures Management, LlcAgilitas Private EquityAlba Infra PartnersALIVE Israel HealthTech FundAlkemi Growth Capital+73 more
AI automation platform with agents that observe real activity across tools, build a live Digital Twin of operations, and execute in line with existing processes.
Co-investorsKensington Capital Partners Limited
Osano is a data privacy platform that helps companies manage compliance with global privacy regulations such as GDPR, CCPA, and LGPD through cookie consent management, subject rights (DSAR) automation, preference management, website compliance scanning, and vendor risk assessment.
CybersecurityLegalTechSaaSAustin, US
Arlo Gilbert(Co-founder & Chief Innovation Officer)inScott Hertel(Co-founder)Bobby Jaffari(Chief Executive Officer)Jessica Hamilton(Chief Financial Officer)inSkye McCullough(Chief Customer Officer)in
BoardMichael Smerklo(Director)in
Co-investorsLiveOak VenturesNext Coast VenturesBaird CapitalJump CapitalLookout VenturesSocial Starts+2 more
Portfolio news
latest coverage across their companiesOsano · termsfeed.com · Jun 23, 2026
Potloc · theentrepreneurstory.com · May 14, 2026
Darwin CX · finance.yahoo.com · Mar 4, 2026
Frequently asked questions
- What stage does First Ascent Ventures invest at?
- First Ascent Ventures invests at the Series A, Series B, Growth, Late Stage stages.
- What is First Ascent Ventures's typical check size?
- First Ascent Ventures typically writes checks of $3.6M – $7.3M.
- What sectors does First Ascent Ventures focus on?
- First Ascent Ventures focuses on AI & Machine Learning, Cloud Computing, Consumer, Cybersecurity, Data & Infrastructure, Enterprise Software, Fintech, Hardware, Healthtech, IoT, PropTech, SaaS.
- Where is First Ascent Ventures located?
- First Ascent Ventures is headquartered in Toronto, CA.
- Does First Ascent Ventures lead rounds?
- Yes, First Ascent Ventures leads investment rounds.
- Who does First Ascent Ventures co-invest with?
- First Ascent Ventures most often shares deals with Kensington Capital Partners Limited, LiveOak Ventures, Next Coast Ventures, among 5 tracked co-investors.
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