https://www.ardent.vc/home daily 1.0 2024-04-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f2b298faceb192ae31e3b94/1727198645184-5118LY4EHHB9A6JSUG3Z/Screenshot+2024-09-24+132331.png Home - AI is already transforming organizations — including ours https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f2b298faceb192ae31e3b94/1727198999281-S4L64X3H9Y0VTL7HQ5LD/Your+paragraph+text+%281%29.png Home - AI Agents Show Huge Promise, But Face Technical Barriers to Wide Adoption https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f2b298faceb192ae31e3b94/1727199061236-2A5B5M4O534D9A5TO48M/Screenshot+2024-09-24+133048.png Home - Build vs. Buy: The coming revolution in enterprise software https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f2b298faceb192ae31e3b94/1596668121461-COF9KVENJRRRV1KC2AYH/headshot_bronner-Ardent-startups-support-business-ai-tech-devops-united-kingdom-bw.jpg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f2b298faceb192ae31e3b94/1596668127768-0VI15CK00Q192ONFE906/headshot_herget-Ardent-startups-support-business-ai-tech-devops-united-kingdom-bw.jpg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f2b298faceb192ae31e3b94/1635963286557-8HV90DSKEEIEUCBE29PP/IMG_3262.jpg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f2b298faceb192ae31e3b94/1596767808619-1MJQXL0K2H2NGHDK2JOK/headshot_dan-Ardent-startups-support-business-ai-tech-devops-united-kingdom-bw.jpg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f2b298faceb192ae31e3b94/1596799979510-VFJYAZ05XRTS8X9JPARG/Ardent-startups-support-business-ai-tech-devops-united-states-hooman.png Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f2b298faceb192ae31e3b94/1596679673310-0CT4UAC761KX3K2DETU7/banner-Ardent-startups-support-business-ai-tech-devops-united-kingdom-bw-2.jpg Home https://www.ardent.vc/blog daily 0.75 2022-02-14 https://www.ardent.vc/team daily 0.75 2025-04-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f2b298faceb192ae31e3b94/1596669618485-WD45RO3FCNXS42S272Q4/headshot_herget-Ardent-startups-support-business-ai-tech-devops-united-kingdom-bw.jpg Team https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f2b298faceb192ae31e3b94/1601407108814-XFYTDOK0BHJOXS2FAEFN/mike_shehan.jpg Team https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f2b298faceb192ae31e3b94/1635963286557-8HV90DSKEEIEUCBE29PP/IMG_3262.jpg Team - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f2b298faceb192ae31e3b94/1621868885374-8I722VFCCOKX88GD3TM5/headshot_dan-Ardent-startups-support-business-ai-tech-devops-united-kingdom-bw.jpg Team https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f2b298faceb192ae31e3b94/1596737343407-SO8XWC0ANIQJWYYOT0A2/headshot_wright-Ardent-startups-support-business-ai-tech-devops-united-kingdom-bw-2.jpg Team https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f2b298faceb192ae31e3b94/1596669588985-P3JCX4I9TQURK1M6Y3EH/headshot_bronner-Ardent-startups-support-business-ai-tech-devops-united-kingdom-bw.jpg Team https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f2b298faceb192ae31e3b94/40b5ce04-8bd3-4c31-82c5-6c13610c956c/JohnHallett1374_5x5.png Team https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f2b298faceb192ae31e3b94/1596669768203-KVSJ7IKG7RWBNO7XITFX/headshot_macisaac-Ardent-startups-support-business-ai-tech-devops-united-kingdom-bw.jpg Team https://www.ardent.vc/phil-bronner daily 0.75 2024-10-31 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f2b298faceb192ae31e3b94/1596670224659-ZDQDXBJ0004XIG2GK5CZ/headshot_bronner-Ardent-startups-support-business-ai-tech-devops-united-kingdom-bw.jpg Team - Phil Bronner - Phil Bronner Phil Bronner is the Co-founder and Managing Partner of Ardent Venture Partners, an early-stage venture fund investing in AI-native applications, vertical SaaS, and B2B fintech. He is currently on the boards of Verituity, ExecOnline, OneMain Financial (NYSE: OMF), and Incentivio. He is also an investor in Givebutter, LEO1, Method Financial, Collective, LendFlow, Pickleheads, Crux Climate, Rainforest, Roe AI, and Drillbit. Before co-founding Ardent Venture Partners, Phil was the Founder/Managing Member of Summer League Ventures (SLV). Active SLV deals include Morning Consult, Ordway Labs, Gather.ai,, Anno.ai, Kudos, Montra, and Materia AI. Before SLV, Phil was a General Partner with Novak Biddle Venture Partners. Throughout his 15-year career, he led 16 investments totaling over $100 million. Investments include 2U (Nasdaq: TWOU), Infoblox (Acquired by Vista Equity Partners), SolidFire (Acquired by NetApp), AddThis (acquired by Oracle), Webs (Acquired by Vistaprint), Approva (Acquired by Infor), LifeShield Security (acquired by DirectTV), ClearStandards (Acquired by SAP), Social Gaming Network, and Logic Library (Acquired by SOA Software). Following his time at Novak Biddle, Phil founded Quad Learning, a venture-backed startup acquired by Wellspring Higher Education. He also served as a Management Consultant at McKinsey & Co. and worked as a Software Engineer at IBM. Phil earned a B.S. in Computer Science from Carnegie Mellon University, a J.D. from the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Law, and an MBA from the Wharton School. https://www.ardent.vc/phil-herget daily 0.75 2025-06-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f2b298faceb192ae31e3b94/1596736969913-Y34A2QGFA4YW94TRRYLU/headshot_herget-Ardent-startups-support-business-ai-tech-devops-united-kingdom-bw.jpg Team - Phil Herget - Phil Herget Phil Herget is the Co-founder and General Partner of Ardent Venture Partners, where he is an investor in companies including Gridline and PilotDesk. Prior to Ardent, Phil was the Founder/Managing Member of Avonlea Capital, a venture capital firm focused on high-potential internet, media, mobile, and technology companies. Phil currently serves as a Board Observer of Flytedesk. Avonlea exits include Airside Mobile (acquired by Onfido), Avizia (acquired by American Well), BlackLynx (acquired by Jacobs), Booyah Networks, ClearLeap (acquired by IBM), Greensmith (acquired by Wartsila), Interfolio (acquired by Insight Capital), Pacify (acquired by Advantia Health), SpotX (acquired by RTL Media). Prior to Avonlea Capital, Phil was a Co-Managing General Partner of Columbia Capital, a venture capital/private equity firm focused on Communications, Media, and Technology. Phil joined Columbia Capital in 1992, leading the firm’s development, growth, and transition into a premier institutional investor-backed investment firm. Former Columbia portfolio companies that Phil managed include Altiga Networks (acquired by Cisco Systems), Call Technologies (acquired by 3Com), Columbia Spectrum Management (acquired by P-Com), GoAhead Software (acquired by Oracle), NMP (acquired by AppNet / Commerce One), Ocular Networks (acquired by Tellabs), Riverbed Technologies (acquired by Aether Systems), Saville Systems (NASDAQ: SAVLY subsequently acquired by ADC Communications), Telular (NASDAQ: WRLS), Torrent Networking Technologies (acquired by Ericsson), Vubiquity (served as Board Chair, acquired by Amdocs). Phil also served as CFO of Telular Corporation, leading the company through an Initial Public Offering. Phil is an Emeritus Trustee of The College Foundation Board of University of Virginia (former Board Chair). He serves on the Board of Managers of the University of Virginia Alumni Association. He served on the Board of Visitors of William & Mary (2004-2012). Phil served on the Board of Governors of Saint Stephens Saint Agnes School in Alexandria, VA (former Board Chair). Access to education is a priority for Phil and his wife Lisa. Phil received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Virginia in 1985 and his MBA from Kenan-Flager Business School at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill in 1992. Phil and Lisa have four daughters, two granddaughters, and two sons-in-law. https://www.ardent.vc/jon-hallett daily 0.75 2022-05-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f2b298faceb192ae31e3b94/c0fc3f8e-654f-46e8-9e7b-48371d161546/JohnHallett1374_8x10.png Team - Jon Hallett - Jon Hallett Jon is an active Board member, investor and advisor to early- to mid- stage technology growth companies. Mr. Hallett is the Executive Chairman of New York City-based BetterCloud Inc., a leading provider of security and management software for tens of thousands of businesses globally. Mr. Hallett is also Lead Director of Terminus Software, the leading ABM software vendor, and also serves as a Board Member or Advisor to numerous technology companies including TextUs, Katalon, MessageGears, FutureMotion, Rachio, Pointivo, AllCloud, and others. As an operator, Jon has had multiple successful exits as either CEO or Executive Chairman at: NMP Inc. (acq: AppNet), Northridge Systems (acq: Perficient), Cloud Sherpas (acq: Accenture), Salesfusion (acq: Accel-KKR), and others. Other notable accomplishments include Board and Advisory roles at Vocalocity (acq: Vonage), mindSHIFT (acq: BestBuy), QASymphony (acq: Insight). Jon started his career at Accenture and holds a Bachelor of Science in engineering from Lehigh University. https://www.ardent.vc/tom-maclsaac daily 0.75 2020-08-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f2b298faceb192ae31e3b94/1596737183937-81NRSPU86QKDCKHMQETP/headshot_bronner-Ardent-startups-support-business-ai-tech-devops-united-kingdom-bw.jpg Team - Tom Maclsaac - Tom MacIsaac Tom is the President and CEO of RBmedia, the world’s largest publisher of audiobooks and a leading distributor of digital media to consumers. In 2018, global private equity firm KKR acquired RBmedia in a deal valued at over $500M. Tom is also the President of Cove Street Partners, an investment and advisory firm helping technology companies succeed across the lifecycle – from innovation, to scaled growth, through to exit. Cove Street has helped many early-stage companies including Webs (Vistaprint), Vubiquity (DOX), Mobile Posse (APPS), Cardstar (Constant Contact), Digitalsmiths (TIVO) and Videology (Singtel) grow their businesses and find successful exits. Tom has also been instrumental in the founding and growth of Extreme Reach and ICX Media, having served as a Founding Board Member of each company from inception. Tom was formerly CEO of Verve Mobile. Verve was one of the first companies to use mobile data and analytics to better understand the consumer journey and harness that knowledge for advertisers. He grew Verve from a small start-up to over 150 people, profitability and over $100M annual revenue. Prior to joining Verve, Tom was CEO of ExtendMedia, a leading IP video software company serving customers including AT&T, Verizon, Disney, and Paramount. Extend was acquired by Cisco Systems (CSCO) in 2010 and is the software layer for its current OTT offering. Tom also served as CEO of Lightningcast, a pioneer in online video where he led the development of the first advertising technology platform specifically designed for monetizing broadband video and launched the first online video ad network. After AOL acquired Lightningcast in 2006, Tom served as SVP Strategy and Corporate Development at AOL overseeing strategy, strategic planning, and corporate and business development for AOL’s advertising businesses, leading over $1B in acquisitions. Prior to Lightningcast, Tom founded and served as CEO of Backwire, an online and mobile messaging company that was acquired by Leap Wireless (ATT) in 2001. Prior to his career in digital media and technology, Tom was a corporate lawyer with the global law firm Dechert. He has a Bachelor of Arts in English from Vassar College and a JD from the Catholic University of America. https://www.ardent.vc/mike-shehan daily 0.75 2022-03-07 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f2b298faceb192ae31e3b94/1601407108814-XFYTDOK0BHJOXS2FAEFN/mike_shehan.jpg Team - Mike Shehan - Mike Shehan Mike most recently served as the CEO of SpotX, the leading video advertising platform shaping digital video and the future of TV globally. SpotX is used by nearly all major OTT media owners in the US, such as Discovery, Disney, Roku, Samsung, and Viacom. SpotX reaches 4 out of 5 viewers of ad-supported CTV, or 70 million households, and transacted nearly $1b in media spend between buyers and sellers in 2020. In 2005, Mike started SpotX (formerly SpotXchange) as a division of Booyah Networks, which he co-founded in 2001 as a self-service paid search network. SpotX spun off as its own company in 2007, and then sold in 2017 to RTL Group at a market valuation of $400m. Mike also led the sale of SpotX again in 2021 to Magnite for $1.14b. In its entire history, SpotX has only raised $13m in primary capital. Under his leadership, Booyah ranked 23rd on the 2006 Inc. 500 list of fastest growing private U.S. companies. Mike also recently sold Booyah, which operates as the premier digital agency in the Rocky Mountain region with clients such as DISH, Blockbuster, Vail, Qdoba, Manilla, and Teleflora. Mike's additional career highlights also include being CEO of Ereo, Inc., a venture-backed image search technology company. Before Ereo, he founded LOGEX International, LLC, an e-commerce solutions provider for the retail and catalog industries. LOGEX was acquired by AppNet, which subsequently went public in 1999. Mike currently serves on the Flytedesk board. He previously served on the Videoamp, Clypd (acquired by AT&T/Xandr) and Vemba (acquired by Frankly) boards. Mike graduated from Vanderbilt with a degree in biology. He currently lives in Boulder, CO with his wife and 4 kids. https://www.ardent.vc/dave-wright daily 0.75 2021-03-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f2b298faceb192ae31e3b94/1596737343407-SO8XWC0ANIQJWYYOT0A2/headshot_wright-Ardent-startups-support-business-ai-tech-devops-united-kingdom-bw-2.jpg Team - Dave Wright - Dave Wright In 2010, Dave Wright founded SolidFire, a leader in the market for All Flash Enterprise Storage, and was the CEO through its acquisition by NetApp in 2016 for $870M. After the acquisition, Dave served as Vice President of Technology Strategy at NetApp. Prior to starting SolidFire, Dave founded Jungle Disk, a cloud storage service, which was acquired by cloud computing pioneer Rackspace in 2008. Prior to Jungle Disk, Dave left Stanford University to help start GameSpy Industries in 1998 and led the engineering team at the company through its merger with IGN Entertainment and eventual acquisition by News Corp for $650M in 2005. Currently, Dave is a CEO Partner at Ardent Ventures, a mentor for the TechStars program in Boulder, and an advisor for multiple start-ups inside and outside Colorado. https://www.ardent.vc/privacy-cookies daily 0.75 2020-08-07 https://www.ardent.vc/dan-preiss daily 0.75 2025-01-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f2b298faceb192ae31e3b94/1596767808619-1MJQXL0K2H2NGHDK2JOK/headshot_dan-Ardent-startups-support-business-ai-tech-devops-united-kingdom-bw.jpg Team - Dan Preiss - Dan Preiss Dan Preiss is a Partner at Ardent Venture Partners where he has invested in companies including Method Financial, Palla, PilotDesk, and e:cue. Previously, he was a former founder and has also held product and growth roles at various VC-backed SaaS and consumer startups in Washington, DC and San Francisco. Dan also spent time at Boston Consulting Group in their corporate ventures incubator focused on fintech. Dan earned his degree in International Business & Economics from George Washington University. He lives in Washington, DC, with his dog Fig. https://www.ardent.vc/sara-lawrence daily 0.75 2025-01-30 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f2b298faceb192ae31e3b94/1635963286557-8HV90DSKEEIEUCBE29PP/IMG_3262.jpg Team - Sara Lawrence - Sara Lawrence Sara is the VP of Operations and Data at Ardent Venture Partners, where she manages everything from back-office to HR. Sara also helps manage the company's data and deal databases which enables Ardent to track its progress and grow in an organized and purposeful way. She spent the better half of her working career at various venture-backed startups serving in operations roles. Prior to that, Sara worked at Novak Biddle Venture Partners where she first learned about startups and venture capital. Sara is a proud Baltimore Ravens fan and lives with her husband, children, and dog in Maryland. https://www.ardent.vc/ai-native-applications daily 0.75 2024-02-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f2b298faceb192ae31e3b94/51bcb175-5ebe-4a9d-8c93-ed2273f78a1d/drew-beamer-xU5Mqq0Chck-unsplash.jpg AI-Native Applications - Thesis - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f2b298faceb192ae31e3b94/1727200638583-CKZ4AXM934XEN4IGMR5G/Screenshot+2024-09-24+133048.png AI-Native Applications - Thesis - Build vs. Buy: The coming revolution in enterprise software https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f2b298faceb192ae31e3b94/1727200670971-82XAXNQAGX6AE1A52363/Your+paragraph+text+%281%29.png AI-Native Applications - Thesis - AI Agents Show Huge Promise, But Face Technical Barriers to Wide Adoption https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f2b298faceb192ae31e3b94/1727200694255-T57H2ROJWQUTW1TIFWPO/Screenshot+2024-09-24+132331.png AI-Native Applications - Thesis - AI is already transforming organizations — including ours https://www.ardent.vc/b2b-fintech daily 0.75 2024-03-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f2b298faceb192ae31e3b94/a17c7b7d-943e-4d42-bc45-cddbf2867f45/rachael-ren-U94eGGi_1ZY-unsplash.jpg B2B Fintech - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f2b298faceb192ae31e3b94/6a0bc9f0-e6f7-4562-99c0-73f5615e5630/Overlooked.jpg B2B Fintech - The Consumer Fintech Revolution was Great, but the B2B Fintech Revolution Should Not be Overlooked. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f2b298faceb192ae31e3b94/e55353ed-e761-4385-878c-2eec8a1c0e12/Embedded.jpeg B2B Fintech - The Payments Landscape In B2B Embedded Finance https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f2b298faceb192ae31e3b94/8c3acb39-fafc-4eac-83b8-71d2322cfe10/Checks.png B2B Fintech - The Digitization of B2B Payments Is Coming For Paper Checks. For Now, Over 81% Of Businesses Still Use Them https://www.ardent.vc/verticalsaas daily 0.75 2024-02-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f2b298faceb192ae31e3b94/1706828184232-88T8NJIQJS04S7OEKX22/Screenshot%2B2023-09-11%2B145250.jpg Vertical SaaS Generative AI in Vertical SaaS: Lessons from Reviewing 1,000 Companies https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f2b298faceb192ae31e3b94/60b7dbd4-4a9c-4fec-8412-71748b8833c5/benjamin-sow-30fFdbbpFzU-unsplash.jpg Vertical SaaS - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.ardent.vc/mikkey-clarke daily 0.75 2025-04-22 https://www.ardent.vc/about-investment-1 daily 0.75 2022-11-30 https://www.ardent.vc/home-verituity daily 0.75 2022-12-14 https://www.ardent.vc/team-jay-sehgal daily 0.75 2024-01-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f2b298faceb192ae31e3b94/77bf6013-e6f8-487d-a8d5-0270ff02e7e4/Untitled+design+%282%29.png Team - Jay Sehgal - Jay Sehgal Jay Sehgal is a Spring Associate at Ardent Venture Partners. Previously, Jay was a Consultant at Boston Consulting Group (BCG) in their technology, media, and telecommunications (TMT) practice area. Prior to BCG, Jay held various roles at Stripes Group, Remesh.ai, and AlphaSights. Jay earned his bachelor's degree from Wake Forest University and an MBA from the Tepper School of Business at Carnegie Mellon University. He lives in Brooklyn, NY, with his wife Sarah and cat Mario.