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First Ascent Ventures, LLC is a business development and investment firm which specializes in assisting emerging and seed stage software companies, primarily based in New Hampshire and northern New England. Ideal portfolio companies are pre-funding, pre-revenue and even pre-product, with teams of 1-5 people. Companies must have a strong technical team with lots of energy, a high commitment level, and deep technical know-how combined with a great idea and a promising market opportunity. We work closely with the founding team to help them get off the ground successfully with a focus on refining product and technology strategy, validating market opportunity, and developing options for seed capital and growth.

First time software entrepreneurs have many needs and questions that can be difficult to address without assistance. Angel or venture investors expect a CEO to have significant knowledge of markets, customers, competition, deal terms, valuations, and comparable exits - before making their pitch. To build the best possible case for investment, entrepreneurs need critical knowledge and a team of key advisors that can provide support for the founding team and give investors some comfort that typical mistakes will be avoided. In addition, products need to be architected, designed, and built in a manner that maximizes their strategic fit to larger software companies who operate in related markets, and these decisions need to be made at the earliest possible time in the product development lifecycle.

We can help with these challenges by building a close working relationship with the founding team to help develop the company and idea and maximize the opportunity to get funding, customers, and revenue. We will structure a relationship directly and through our network that provides the required support without an up-front cash outlay. We will then act as a partner before and after the funding and may participate directly in an early funding event.

If you are an early stage technology company, seeking funding, we would welcome the opportunity to consider supporting and investing in your business. Please refer to the FAQ page for further details of our requirements, and if you match that profile please contact us (contact information can be found on the Contact Us page). If you do not fit that profile, or have larger capital needs, consider applying direct to the Monadnock or Northeast Angel Investor groups.

In mountain climbing, a first ascent is one of the most sought after accomplishments for promising mountaineers. By venturing into new and uncharted terrain, the mountaineer is challenged to utilize a wide range of skills to overcome the unknown difficulties and achieve something that has never been done. This is the inspiration for First Ascent Ventures.