First Ascent Ventures

First Ascent Ventures is a venture capital firm based in Toronto, founded in 2015. It invests in emerging enterprise business-to-business software companies, with a mandate covering both Canadian and U.S. businesses. The firm concentrates on early-stage and growth-oriented technology companies rather than a single fixed stage.

Sector interest spans artificial intelligence, machine learning, cloud computing, big data, and privacy and security - the technical domains underpinning much of the current enterprise software cycle. First Ascent states an intention to back technology businesses with the potential to create meaningful change in the markets they serve, and positions itself as an investment partner to portfolio companies as they develop and grow.

The firm was co-founded by Tony van Marken and Richard Black, who serve as managing partners. Its stated geographic presence is Toronto and the wider Canadian and U.S. markets.