Kirby Winfield
Kirby Winfield is Investor in Residence at AI2 Incubator and the Founder and Founding General Partner at Ascend. He founded Ascend and Ascend.vc, both funds, and remains active in both.
Former GeekWire Writer Nathan Bek Named First Associate at Ascend.vc to Drive Deal Sourcing and Content Creation
Ascend.vc has hired former GeekWire writer Nathan Bek as its first Associate to source deals, conduct diligence, create content, and support portfolio companies. Bek joins a notable group of reporters-turned-VCs and will focus on Seattle startups alongside Jen Haller.
Survey of 70 Seattle Founders: Local Angels Are Risk-Averse, Hidden and Losing Deals to Seed Funds
A February survey of 70 Seattle-area tech founders found widespread frustration with local angel investors, who are described as risk-averse, conservative, hidden, and out of touch; founders say angels must be more visible, faster, and willing to take bigger risks to compete with active local and Bay Area seed funds.
Organizations
See all 14-
Endurance Energy First Check 2025–present · current
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Overland AI First Check 2023–present · current
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Ascend Founder and Founding General Partner 2019–present · current
Education
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Seattle University School of Law Coursework towards JD · 2002–2003
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Middlebury College BA, English · 1992–1996
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Seattle Preparatory School 1988–1992
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Assumption School 1986–1988
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Seattle Country Day School 1980–1986
