Ascento Capital Research
Advisory Approach
Ascento Capital is a boutique technology-focused investment bank founded in 2017 by Ben Boissevain, a veteran investment banker with 30 years of cross-border M&A experience. The firm brings "Wall Street discipline and Silicon Valley insight" to each transaction, combining institutional-quality advisory processes with deep understanding of the technology sector's unique dynamics, competitive landscapes, and strategic buyer networks. Ascento specializes exclusively in sell-side M&A advisory for technology companies, complemented by capital raise advisory and company valuations.
The firm's thesis is straightforward: technology companies benefit from advisors who understand both the sector's operational complexities and the global buyer ecosystem. Unlike generalist banks that treat tech deals as commodities, Ascento's entire team focuses on technology M&A, maintaining senior-level connections across private equity firms, strategic acquirers, and venture capital funds globally. Ben Boissevain speaks regularly at tech conferences, publishes thought leadership on TechCrunch, and maintains an active newsletter tracking top tech M&A transactions weekly, positioning the firm as a visible, knowledgeable player in the technology sector.
Sector Focus
Ascento Capital's focus spans the breadth of enterprise and commercial technology sectors: Artificial Intelligence and AIOps, Data and Analytics, MarTech (marketing technology), PropTech (real estate technology), FinTech (financial services technology), InsurTech (insurance technology), RegTech (regulatory technology), HealthTech, IoT (Internet of Things), Cloud infrastructure, eCommerce platforms, SaaS (Software-as-a-Service), UCaaS (Unified Communications as a Service), IT Services and managed services providers, Digital Media platforms, and Blockchain/cryptocurrency infrastructure. This breadth reflects both the founder's deep tech experience and the firm's position as a full-spectrum technology M&A advisor.
Within this focus, Ascento has demonstrated particular depth in AI/AIOps solutions, cloud infrastructure, and data analytics platforms—sectors experiencing intense M&A activity as enterprise buyers consolidate point solutions into integrated platforms. The firm's client work spans from seed-stage companies raising venture capital to established technology services businesses attracting strategic and financial buyers.
Deal Track Record
Ascento Capital has advised clients on multiple successful transactions across strategic and financial buyers, often managing global competitive sales processes. Notable completed transactions include:
StreamWeaver → BMC Software (KKR-backed) — Sale of a leading AIOps (AI operations) company to BMC in 2021. StreamWeaver's AI-driven incident prediction and automated remediation capabilities enhanced BMC's Helix platform. The transaction demonstrated Ascento's ability to position cutting-edge AI infrastructure companies to strategic technology acquirers.
Proant AB → Abracon — Sale of a Swedish IoT antenna company specializing in cutting-edge antenna technology for industrial, medical, automotive, and consumer applications to Abracon LLC (backed by private equity firm Riverside Company) in 2021. Ben Boissevain conducted a global search reaching over 100 targets across the United States, Europe, and Asia, generating serious buyer interest from multiple geographies and ultimately achieving valuation above the founder's expectations through a vigorous auction process.
NIC → VisionLTC Acquisition — Ascento represented NIC (the National Investment Center for Seniors Housing & Care) on its acquisition of VisionLTC, a senior living industry market analytics platform. NIC and VisionLTC integrated to form NIC MAP Vision, combining NIC's market data with VisionLTC's advanced analytics capabilities. This transaction showcased Ascento's ability to advise on buy-side M&A, identifying complementary targets and structuring strategic acquisitions.
MedAssist → Firstsource Solutions — Ascento advised on the $330M acquisition of MedAssist, a medical billing and collections outsourcer, by Indian BPO firm Firstsource Solutions. As documented in TechCrunch interviews, Ben Boissevain provided critical assistance in identifying the target, negotiating terms, and structuring the transaction.
Valuations & Capital Raises — Beyond transaction advisory, Ascento has provided fair market valuations and growth strategy advice to private technology companies preparing for financing rounds, including advisory on NIC's revenue-based financing for NIC MAP Vision and valuations supporting fundraising efforts for private SaaS and analytics platforms.
Process & Fee Structure
Ascento Capital conducts institutional-quality sell-side M&A processes tailored to technology companies. The process typically includes:
- Global buyer outreach — As demonstrated in the Proant transaction (100+ targets) and StreamWeaver deal, Ascento conducts comprehensive, targeted outreach to strategic and financial buyers worldwide, including PE firms, strategic technology acquirers, and international buyers.
- Valuation support — The firm provides detailed valuation models and comparable company analysis, informed by Ben Boissevain's background combining corporate law (White & Case), investment banking at both Erste Bank (Vienna) and Barclays Bank (NYC), and direct operating experience at tech companies (Samsung, Philips, Nvidia, LG, Ascom, Ericsson).
- Process management — Ascento structures exclusive or competitive auction processes, manages buyer interactions, coordinates due diligence, and guides clients through LOI negotiation and closing.
- Timeline — Typical processes run 6-9 months from engagement to close, though this varies by company maturity and deal complexity.
Fee structure — Based on public references, Ascento charges:
- Success fee: 3-5% on transaction value (technology companies under $50M), with structure varying by deal size
- Monthly retainer: Approximately $10K-$25K/month (commonly credited against success fees)
- Valuation fees: Project-based for standalone valuations and fairness opinions
The firm has shown flexibility in fee structures, with some engagements negotiated as co-advised deals (e.g., co-advisory with CS Capital Advisors on the NIC transaction) and hybrid fee arrangements on larger transactions.
Buyer Network
Ascento Capital maintains extensive relationships with private equity firms that have acquired technology companies via Ascento-advised transactions, including Riverside Company, KKR, and others. The firm's global senior-level connections span private equity firms and strategic acquirers in Israel, the United Kingdom, Sweden, Switzerland, France, Germany, South Korea, Japan, China, and India.
Based on transaction history, Ascento's buyer network includes:
- Strategic technology acquirers — Global software and enterprise technology companies (BMC, Samsung, Philips, etc.) acquiring complementary technology
- Private equity firms — Riverside Company, KKR, and other mid-market and growth equity firms targeting technology businesses
- International strategic buyers — European and Asian industrial companies acquiring technology capabilities (Abracon, Firstsource)
The firm's positioning as a TechCrunch contributor and weekly newsletter publisher on top tech M&A deals also maintains visibility with institutional investors and strategic buyers actively monitoring the technology M&A market.
Competitive Positioning
Ascento Capital differentiates from other tech-focused advisory boutiques through:
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Founder's pedigree — Ben Boissevain combines 30 years of cross-border M&A experience (rare for a founder in 2017), legal training (NYU Law School, corporate law practice at White & Case), global investment banking exposure (Vienna and New York), and direct operating experience at major technology companies, giving him deep credibility with both sellers and buyers.
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Tech-exclusive focus — Unlike generalist M&A banks that treat technology as one of many sectors, Ascento's entire business focuses on technology M&A, ensuring the team stays current with sector trends, competitive dynamics, buyer strategies, and valuation multiples in real-time.
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Thought leadership — Ben Boissevain's publishing (TechCrunch author, weekly top-10 deals newsletter) and speaking at tech conferences position Ascento as an informed commentator on technology M&A, not merely a transaction facilitator.
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Global reach with hands-on founder involvement — Unlike larger banks where deals are delegated to junior bankers, Ben Boissevain personally leads engagements, leveraging his 30 years of relationships to unlock buyer access and structure complex international transactions.
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Sector agnosticism within tech — Ascento advises across AI, analytics, fintech, insurtech, proptech, healthtech, IoT, SaaS, and other domains, providing clients exposure to buyers and benchmarks across the full technology spectrum rather than narrow vertical specialization.
Not a Fit If
Based on transaction sizes and positioning, Ascento likely declines:
- Non-technology businesses (the firm focuses exclusively on tech)
- Transactions below $5-10M (technology companies need scale to attract buyer interest)
- Buyers seeking passive investor capital (Ascento advises transactions, not minority investments)
- Advisory-only engagements without exclusivity (consistent with traditional institutional M&A practices)
- Companies with unresolved legal, IP, or regulatory issues (institutional buyers require clean title and compliance)
Team
Ben Boissevain — Founder and Managing Partner. 30+ years of M&A experience. NYU Law School graduate. Corporate law background (White & Case, early career in Vienna on Eastern European transactions). Investment banking at Erste Bank (Vienna) and Barclays Bank (NYC). Operating experience at Samsung, Philips, Nvidia, LG, Ascom, Ericsson. TechCrunch author and visible thought leader in tech M&A. Personally leads client engagements and manages key buyer relationships. Located in New York, NY.
Victoria Ronan — Associate. Financial Mathematics student at Baruch College. Analyst at Baruch Investment Management Group with coverage experience in Consumer Goods & Retail, Healthcare. Investment Fellow at Centerbridge Partners, gaining exposure to alternative investments and due diligence processes.
Ron Kullashi — Associate. Finance student at Baruch College. Junior analyst at Baruch Investment Management Group with rotations on Healthcare and TMT (Technology, Media, Telecommunications) teams. Experience developing pitch decks and valuation models.
The firm is lean, reflecting boutique positioning. Work is concentrated under Ben Boissevain's leadership, with associates providing analytical support. The firm's strength lies in the founder's deep network and judgment rather than team size.
Geographic Coverage
Ascento Capital operates from New York (745 Fifth Avenue, Suite 500) with global reach. The firm maintains senior-level connections across:
- United States — Primary market for sell-side advisory
- United Kingdom — Transactions involving UK technology buyers
- Continental Europe — Germany, France, Switzerland (Proant deal with Swedish seller)
- Israel — Growing technology startup hub
- Asia-Pacific — Japan, Korea, China, India (strategic and PE buyer access)
This global reach is particularly valuable for technology companies with international customer bases, seeking buyers in specific geographies, or operating across borders.
Founded Year & Team Size
Founded in 2017 by Ben Boissevain. Team size: 3-4 (Ben Boissevain + 2-3 associates/analysts). The boutique structure reflects the founder's model: high-touch personal service, selective deal flow, and focus on transaction quality over volume.
FINRA Registration & Summary
Ascento Capital is not a FINRA-registered broker-dealer. The firm is an independent investment bank providing advisory services (transaction advisory, valuations, capital raise support) without acting as a broker or dealer in securities. This reflects the firm's business model as a pure advisory boutique.
Ascento Capital occupies a well-defined niche as a technology-focused M&A advisory boutique, combining the founder's rare combination of Wall Street banking experience, corporate law training, global relationships, and direct operating experience at major tech companies. For technology companies seeking sell-side M&A advisory from advisors who understand the sector deeply, maintain buyer relationships in target markets, and can position companies effectively in competitive processes, Ascento Capital represents a credible, hands-on alternative to generalist banks.