put people first.
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simplify complexity.
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commit to singular attention.
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People Oriented, Data-Driven
At Ascend, we think outside the transaction to the people behind it, providing buy-side and sell-side advisory services to high-growth companies and institutional investors in the middle market. Be it clients, employees, or prospects, our team believes in humanizing investment banking and the engagement process. We place a high value on operating with integrity, maintaining good relationships, and simply doing the right thing…all while driving value with a sophisticated, data-driven approach.
Our tailored, data-driven approach uncovers the smartest deals with the most favorable terms.
Sell-Side
We leverage our first-hand knowledge as buyers and rigorous process execution to maximize value.
The Ascend Way
Putting People First
Humanizing investment banking and the engagement process
Simplifying Complexity
Achieving simplicity amid complexity with a sophisticated approach
Flexing for the Journey
Pivoting to provide the type of advisory needed at a moment’s notice
Committing to Singular Attention
Promising expertise grounded in best practices but tailored to a client’s unique needs
Partnering with Authenticity & Respect
Creating an environment where ideas to come to life, people thrive, and success flourishes
Providing “In The Trenches” Experience
Unleashing value with institutional knowledge and expertise
Recent Transactions
Ascend Advises Aercon in its Acquisition by Ambient Enterprises
The acquisition of Aercon by Ambient Enterprises strengthens Ambient’s presence in the HVAC industry and provides Aercon with the operational support needed for continued growth.
Ascend Capital Group Spearheads Strategic Acquisition of RecDesk by Clubessential Holdings
The acquisition of RecDesk by Clubessential Holdings broadens Clubessential Holdings’ presence in the parks and recreation management space and enhances its comprehensive software portfolio.
Ascend Capital Group Facilitates Havtech’s Strategic Acquisition of The Morin Companies
The acquisition of the Morin Companies marks another milestone for Havtech, reinforcing its position as a leader in the North American market for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems.
Ascend Advises Judicial Innovations on its Acquisition by Avenu
The integration of Judicial Innovations into Avenu’s offerings marks a significant enhancement of Avenu’s capabilities, positioning the company to better meet the evolving needs of government agencies.
Ascend Advises Kaseware in its Strategic Investment from the Riverside Company
The investment enables Kaseware to continue delivering superior service to customers and strengthening the safety and security of communities and organizations across the globe.
Ascend Advises Fidelity Building Services Group on its Acquisition of Power of Clean Energy
Ascend has now advised Fidelity BSG on nine acquisitions to support its technical, services, and geographic expansion strategy.
Ascend Advises Intelligenz in its Acquisition by Banyan Software
This partnership allows Intelligenz to expand its product capabilities and customer base under Banyan’s guidance, increasing market share in the recreation and facilities management space.
Ascend Advises MCCi in its Acquisition of GovBuilt
Together, MCCi and GovBuilt provide a robust, user-friendly technology offering to meet the ever-evolving needs of government agencies.
Ascend Advises GovCon Leader Mission1st in its Acquisition of Ardent
Combining Mission1st’s success in the defense market with Ardent’s deep history in the civilian and homeland security markets into a powerhouse integrated solutions set to serve existing and future clients at the next level.
Ascend Advises DirectAthletics in its Acquisition by FloSports
The transaction forms the largest and most comprehensive database of
Track & Field videos, meet coverage, results, and rankings in North America.
Ascend Advises Mainline Information Systems
on its Acquisition of Axcelinno
The first strategic acquisition with Ascend as Mainline’s exclusive buy-side advisor bolsters
the company’s ability to deliver cloud, IT automation, and DevSecOps solutions and expands its footprint into Asia.
Ascend Advises Fidelity Building Services Group on its Completion of Three Acquisitions in Three Months
Ascend has assisted with a total of eight acquisitions that support Fidelity BSG’s strategy to expand its technical capabilities, services, and geographic footprint.
Ascend Advises Interware in its Acquisition by Avenu
The combined platform highlights the importance of unifying solutions under one umbrella, allowing state and local governments to collect permitting & licensing, utilities, and tax revenue more efficiently.
Advises HC Nye in its Merger with Gil-Bar Book
The merger will expand the companies’ efforts to provide modern HVAC systems and
strategic solutions in an ever-changing and increasingly complex post-pandemic environment.
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Ascend Advises Book King in its Acquisition by Univerus
The addition of Book King will serve as a springboard for development activity and bring improved recreation management products to customers throughout North America.
Ascend Advises Capital Seaboard in its Acquisition by The Chefs’ Warehouse
The acquisition comes as the demand for specialty distribution providers’ products, expertise, and relationships continues to rise.
Ascend Advises ShadowDragon in its Strategic Investment by Sverica
The partnership will allow ShadowDragon to extend its impact as increased sophistication of cyber-attacks heightens demand.
Ascend Advises Fidelity Building Services Group on its Acquisition of AIR Technologies
AIR Technologies is the 13th organization to join the Fidelity BSG portfolio and the first in the Oklahoma region to become part of the national brand.
Ascend Advises Municode in its Acquisition by CivicPlus
The deal highlights Ascend’s expertise in the highly active GovTech market and brings together two strong companies within the space.
Ascend Advises Fidelity Building Services Group on its Acquisition of South Florida Controls
Ascend has closed five acquisitions that support Fidelity BSG’s strategy to expand its services and geographic footprint.
Ascend Advises Nehemiah Security in its Acquisition by ThreatConnect
Addition of Cyber Risk Quantification pioneer creates the world’s only cybersecurity platform aligning the entire security lifecycle to the goal of reducing risk.
Ascend Advises Fidelity Building Services Group on its Acquisition of Metro Mechanical
Latest acquisition strengthens Fidelity BSG’s presence in the Gulf region and demonstrates continued progress with the company’s strategic multi-regional growth plan.
Ascend Advises Fidelity Building Services Group on its Acquisition of Systems Contractors
This is the 2nd acquisition Ascend has sourced for Fidelity in the past four months.
Ascend Advises Havtech on its Strategic Alliance with Two Virginia-based HVAC Companies
The alliance accelerates Havtech’s vision and the three companies’ shared strategy to expand service offerings to meet growing consumer demand.
Ascend Advises Fidelity Building Services Group on its Acquisition of Smart Building Technologies
Strategic acquisition bolsters Fidelity BSG’s building automation capabilities and furthers its position within the commercial and industrial facilities market.
The Ascend team’s deep understanding of our investment strategy allowed them to identify this unique, proprietary opportunity, further underscoring how valuable their partnership is in our ongoing expansion.
Our preferred sale transaction structure was highly complex and we needed a trusted advisor who acutely understood the market and could navigate our unique requirements. The Ascend team delivered on everything we asked, innovatively presenting Intelligenz’s growth potential to a diverse set of buyers to create significant interest and drive multiple offers to achieve an optimal outcome for all parties involved.
After conducting extensive independent market research and thoughtfully analyzing the data, Ascend identified GovBuilt as an ideal partner due to its compatible tech stack, experienced management team, and complimentary product offering that would allow us to better serve both companies’ customers. Ascend’s strategic thinking and attentive guidance throughout this process not only provided us a new perspective on the partner we needed but helped us successfully bring that vision to life.
While I am confident in providing highly technical mission-critical solutions in challenging situations, I sought an M&A advisor to guide us on the technicalities of finding and closing a transformative strategic acquisition. Ascend’s precise approach, discipline, and rigor perfectly fit what I sought in an advisor. The team found the right partner and managed every aspect of the process on my behalf with minimal disruption to the business. Our partnership with Ardent is transformational in every way, and we are thankful to Ascend for their role in making it happen. The Ascend team completed the deal on an efficient timeline despite the regulatory challenges ever present in transactions between government contractors. I look forward to working with Ascend on future acquisitions as we continue to strategically accelerate our growth and impact.
Simply put, we couldn’t have done this without Ascend. The team’s guidance and expertise were indispensable to us at every step of the journey, and their disciplined approach helped keep everyone on track throughout the process. The intentional way they strategically positioned our business ensured we found the right partner.
Ascend’s expertise in buy-side advisory has been evident from the start and was underscored as we worked on this first acquisition together. The team brings not only the analytical and programmatic rigor necessary for an efficient and effective strategy but also a focus on relationship building and the ability to think outside the transaction to the people behind it. Axcelinno was a valued relationship of ours before we even discussed a possible transaction. Ascend understood the complexities on both sides, helping us navigate the process and ultimately achieve the best outcome for all.
The combination of Ascend’s understanding of our investment strategy, expertise in our sector, and ability to articulate our value proposition is incredibly powerful. The Ascend team continues to represent us well, finding the right strategic opportunities that fit our mandate and culture. They have been instrumental in our corporate development strategy and helping position us for strong growth ahead.
John Wissel
Chief Corporate Development Officer
at
Fidelity BSG
DJ and the Ascend team spent endless hours with our family prior to launching a transaction to understand our collective and individual objectives. They were knowledgeable and responsive, helping us not just maximize value but find a partner we could feel truly good about taking on our family’s legacy and providing our employees, customers, and products new opportunities to flourish and thrive.
The Ascend team impressed me early on with their eagerness to negotiate the deal terms most important to us and create transparency through a data-driven approach. My appreciation only grew as they navigated us through the complexities of the transaction, ensuring we were well-represented throughout the process.
I will forever be thankful to the team at Ascend. Their guidance was invaluable to us as they simplified complex situations and fiercely focused on what meant the most to us—ensuring our employees were taken care of. Our relationship went beyond the transaction to building trusting relationships and friendships that will stand the test of time.
Going through the M&A process requires trust and someone that walks alongside you to help navigate the complexities. Working with Ascend made the experience less overwhelming as they provided guidance on all of the areas that I didn't have any clue about, while pushing our team to keep up the pace to the very end.
Ascend demonstrated extraordinary patience and persistence in helping us find the right partner for Capital Seaboard. The Ascend team advised us through negotiations with numerous interested buyers that had varying deal structures, never pushing us to settle until we found the perfect partner that met our team’s objectives. They were fully committed, providing valuable strategic guidance through a major shift in the company’s focus and through a global pandemic that heavily impacted our industry. Without the support and integrity Ascend provided, we would not have received the maximum value and fit we ultimately were able to achieve.
Ascend was an incredibly valuable partner to our team throughout the sale process. They are a relationship-focused team and never lost sight of the bigger picture. Their extensive insight and knowledge around positioning and buyers, and their disciplined approach to negotiations helped us achieve a great outcome for everyone.
We wanted to be confident that we were doing the right thing for our business, our clients, and most importantly, our people. Ascend’s people-first philosophy was the perfect fit for us. They not only understood how to position us in the market to ensure an exceptional outcome, but also that the number one priority was finding a partner who respected and valued our team.
Ascend has advised Fidelity BSG on four key transactions including System Contractors, Smart Building Technologies, Metro Mechanical, and most recently, AIR Technologies. The strong partnership and strategic alignment we’ve created over the past year has allowed Ascend to work as a true extension of the Fidelity BSG team. They have been excellent colleagues and instrumental in achieving our strategic and operational objectives.
As we pursue opportunities for growth, we are committed to fostering and protecting the core values we’ve worked to establish over the lifetime of our business. The Ascend team not only ran highly efficient, transparent, and effective processes, they also respected our desire to find partners that had cultural alignment and overlapping missions. We feel fortunate to work with such a thorough and talented team of advisors that understand the intricacies of the HVAC/mechanical space.
