Read and follow up on our insights

Fintech is uncool again. Good.

The tourists have left fintech. Partner Emma Steele on why the funding slump is exactly the moment to be investing.

Summer Newsletter

We've had a refresh. Inside: Seed VC of the Year at the UKBAA Awards, two deals we led, and fresh raises across the portfolio.

Ascension named Seed VC of the Year at the UKBAA Angel Investment Awards 2026

Ascension has been named Seed VC of the Year at the UKBAA Angel Investment Awards, with Venture Partner Emma Blackburn winning Angel Investor of the Year and portfolio company Fifth Dimension AI taking Scale-up of the Year.

Runners-up in two categories at the EISA Awards 2026

At the EISA Awards at the House of Lords, Ascension came away as runner-up in two categories: Best SEIS Fund Manager and Best Impact Investment.

Neuronostics raises £3M to advance its epilepsy biomarker platform

We led Neuronostics' seed round in 2024. The epilepsy diagnostics company has now raised £3M to take its BioEP platform towards an FDA submission and wider NHS adoption.

Saltroad raises £1.5M and acquires AI platform Ogma

We backed Saltroad at pre-seed. The clinician-led speech and language therapy provider has raised £1.5M and acquired AI documentation platform Ogma.

Shortlisted in three categories at the EISA Awards 2026

Ascension has been shortlisted for Best EIS Investment Manager, Best SEIS Investment Manager and EISA Impact Investment for our backing of Sprive.

The Longevity Revolution: Why Your Financial Plan Might Be Missing Its Biggest Variable

Ascension COO Rakesh Murria on how AI-driven drug discovery, metabolic therapies and personalised genetics are extending healthspan — and why your financial plan needs to catch up.

Proud to be a triple finalist at the UKBAA Angel Investment Awards 2026

Ascension has been shortlisted for Seed VC of the Year, Impact Investment of the Year and the Women in Innovation Award.

Fifth Dimension raises $26M Series A led by HV Capital

We backed Fifth Dimension at pre-seed. Now the decision intelligence platform for real assets has raised a $26M Series A.

Ascension backs ManaMind's $1.5M pre-seed round

ManaMind is bringing autonomous AI testing to the gaming industry, cutting regression cycles to hours.

Ascension ranked among London's most active investors of the past decade

Beauhurst's report on London's most active investors ranks Ascension 3rd over the past decade, between Seedcamp and LocalGlobe.

February Newsletter

£10m from the British Business Bank, the Carryback Fund before April, Sprive on Dragons' Den, and Stream's $90m Series D.

Ascension and British Business Bank announce £10m Co-investment Partnership

Stream raises a $90m Series D

Having first backed Stream at pre-seed, we were proud to participate in its $90m Series D — reaffirming our conviction in a team now supporting over 3 million people.

Community and events: a busy fortnight at Ascension

Three events in two weeks: a founder pitching evening at CMS UK, the second Ascension Fund III AGM, and a founder dinner on winning in the US.

Farmdrive has closed a £1M pre-seed round

FarmDrive, based in Northern Ireland, builds digital tools that give farmers, processors, and retailers full visibility over livestock supply chains.

November Newsletter

Monolith exit delivers a full return to our 2018 fund — plus Ascension Fund III, the Carry Back Fund, a Sifted Top 50 spot, and portfolio news.

Ascension's 15th Exit – Monolith AI

Incredibly excited to announce the exit of Ascension's EIS 2018 investment in Monolith AI.

Sprive just launched its first TV ad on Channel 4

Portfolio company Sprive takes a major step with nationwide TV advertising campaign.

Ascension lead Synkka's pre-seed round

Some bets feel obvious the second you see them. That's what happened with Synkka.

Summer Newsletter

Here's a quick summer round-up from Ascension and our portfolio companies. Ascension Fund III updates and more.

Latest Ascension Fund III deal, Hesta Health

Last week we closed the latest deal for Ascension Fund III, and we're SO excited about this one.

Ascension Fair By Design Impact Report

We are excited to share Ascension's Fair By Design Impact Report publicly for the first time.

Epoch Biodesign just closed an oversubscribed $18.3M Series A

Epoch Biodesign just closed an oversubscribed $18.3M Series A to scale its breakthrough enzymatic recycling technology.

January Newsletter

Ascension Syndicate Female Founders Event. Unlocking Tax Planning Strategies from our COO on the EIS Association Podcast.

Ascension Invests in ComplyStream: our 5th SEIS Fund Investment

The operational stack for combating financial crime is currently highly fragmented, contributing 30-50% of compliance costs.

Keir's Top Tips for Founders Preparing to Raise

Raising external capital can be a minefield and financial missteps could cost you a lot.

Ascension Syndicate: Female Founders event

A big thank you to everyone who attended our Ascension Syndicate: Female Founders event!

Freya's AI Toolkit: The Tools You Need to Know

I had a bit of a lightbulb moment - the productivity tools I rely on every day have completely transformed how I work.

2024 Round Up

And that's a wrap! What an amazing year 2024 has been for Ascension and our portfolio companies.

December Newsletter

Ascension Fund III Event: Does AI Fail or Scale Impact? Ascension's Tax-Efficient Funds for 2024/25.

October Newsletter

Bulbshare exits to SMG with a 3x return. The Autumn 2024 Budget updates.

September Newsletter

Ascension Portfolio Summit. Welcome to Bill Bousfield, Head of Distribution. Ascension EIS & Carry-Back.

Our AI investing lens

The first reaction when thinking of AI and impact might be one of conflict. Here's our perspective.

Unlocking Affordable Credit Options: Insights from Fintechs

Earlier this year we met with a group of organisations to discuss the challenges around affordable credit.

Beyond London: Why it makes sense for Ascension to invest in the regions

London hosts 40% of Europe's venture capital firms, creating a strong investment landscape. But there's opportunity beyond.

July Newsletter

Gendo Launches GenAI Tool. Emma Steele Q&A with Mountside Ventures. Ascension Fund III updates.

Democratising access to home ownership

We caught up with Richard Dana, CEO and co-founder of Tembo, the award-winning digital mortgage broker helping a new generation of buyers onto the housing ladder.

June Newsletter

UKBAA Awards double finalists. Iulia Tudor promoted to Ascension Fund III Partner.

Heatio – Empowering Homes with Sustainable Energy

Heatio's mission is to finance the future by enabling consumers to overcome the initial cost barrier of heat pumps.

May Newsletter

Ascension Fund III deal number 2, Juniver. Emma Steele on the importance of financial literacy.

The Future of AI: Will OpenAI make a deal with Apple?

As you may know from our monthly newsletter, AI is a topic that excites us greatly.

April Newsletter

Ascension Fund III Launch Event. Ascension Fund III Thesis. Ascension S/EIS Fund 2023-24 Overview.

Ascension Blended Fund 2023-24 – Fund overview

The Ascension S/EIS Fund focuses on FinTech, Commerce, Sustainability/Climate, and more.

Ascension VC reaches first close of new Tech4Good £50m pre-seed fund

This fund will target the 'Impact Dragons' tackling social inequalities.

March Newsletter

Ascension Fund III Launch. Ascension Investor Showcase featuring Justin Urquhart-Stewart.

AI 101 Simple Introduction

A quick introduction into AI from Ascension's Chief Operating Officer.

February Newsletter

Ascension is one of the Top 10 Most Active Venture Capital Firms.

Knowledge Intensive Fund – Portfolio

Ascension's Knowledge Intensive EIS Fund is a testament to our commitment to innovation.

RideTandem: Driving Transport Access

Ascension first invested into RideTandem in 2020 from our Fair By Design fund.

New Associate Joins Ascension Fund III Team

Announcement of Freya Wordsworth joining the Ascension team.

Meet the Partners of Ascension Fund III

Ascension is led by Jean de Fougerolles, an exited entrepreneur with deep expertise.

Interview with Richard Dana, Tembo CEO

Discussion addressing housing affordability challenges with Tembo's CEO.