Ascend

Ascend Venture Capital, based in Seattle and led by Kirby Winfield, focuses on pre-seed investments in AI infrastructure and "SaaS 3.0" applications. Their primary mission is to back startups that leverage artificial intelligence to disrupt traditional B2B software markets. They typically write checks ranging from $250K to $750K and prefer to invest in local Seattle-based founders. The firm has a strong emphasis on long-term support, guiding founders from idea inception to Series A and beyond. Ascend has an impressive track record of exits, including notable companies like Attunely and Makara. They are particularly interested in mission-critical, data-centric startups, and are recognized for their diverse investment approach-63% of their portfolio is composed of minority-led teams. The team at Ascend also prides itself on fostering deep relationships with portfolio founders, providing not only capital but also connections to customers and Silicon Valley investors. Ascend’s ethos focuses on avoiding crowded markets, instead seeking opportunities in emerging verticals and industries.