Ascension VC

Founded by Jean de Fougerolles in 2011 and firmly rooted in London's dynamic startup ecosystem, Ascension VC has swiftly become one of the UK's standout early-stage investors. Led by entrepreneurs who have themselves navigated the challenging journey from startup to successful exit, Ascension offers founders not just capital, but genuine empathy and strategic insights derived from personal experience.

What sets Ascension apart is their potent blend of entrepreneurial empathy and a sharp eye for ventures with genuine societal impact. Voted Seed VC of the Year in 2022 by the UK Business Angels Association, Ascension uniquely combines rigorous investment discipline with a passion for "Tech for Good," backing startups that tackle significant societal issues without compromising on commercial viability. Their investment in open-banking innovator Credit Kudos (acquired by Apple in 2022), Guardian Angel’s end-of-life planning platform, and consumer sensation Lick Home illustrates Ascension’s knack for picking transformative ventures early.

Ascension typically invests at pre-seed and seed stages, deploying cheques ranging from £300k to around £1.5 million, flexibly tailored to each startup's needs. They predominantly target UK-based tech-driven ventures across fintech, health tech, e-commerce, and deep tech sectors, with ticket sizes adaptable depending on the round. Founders seeking funding from Ascension should be ready to showcase deep domain expertise, a resilient product or IP, clear commercial traction, and ideally, a vision that incorporates positive social or environmental impact.

Known for their founder-centric approach, Ascension doesn’t merely provide capital—they offer robust, active support post-investment. The team prides itself on being "more than just investors," frequently providing hands-on mentorship, valuable strategic connections, and operational guidance to help founders reach critical milestones. Emma Steele, Ascension's partner leading their impact funds, emphasizes the firm’s proactive involvement, highlighting their role in nurturing startups to maturity and preparing them for subsequent funding rounds.

This supportive ethos is echoed by entrepreneurs within Ascension's portfolio. As Lick Home’s founders shared, Ascension’s early backing and hands-on approach were pivotal: "We are really appreciative of the support Ascension gave us at the start of our journey... We would recommend Ascension as an investor to any company first raising a round from a VC.”

Ascension VC doesn’t just invest—it actively partners with founders, providing strategic mentorship, powerful networking opportunities, and practical resources. For founders embarking on their fundraising journey, Ascension’s blend of entrepreneurial empathy, sector breadth, and active support makes them an investor worth engaging with.