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Kimberly Bryant

Founder and CEO Ascend Ventures

Oakland, California

Overview 

Kimberly Bryant is the Founder and CEO of Ascend Ventures and the Black Innovation Lab, known for her groundbreaking work as the Founder of Black Girls CODE and being recognized as a White House Champion of Change. With a strong background in tech, business strategy, and community outreach, she is a sought-after keynote speaker and investor, making significant contributions to diversity and inclusion in the technology sector. Kimberly Bryant has established herself as a prominent figure in the tech industry through her leadership roles, including founding Black Girls CODE and Ascend Ventures, while also being recognized as a White House Champion of Change. She is known for her expertise in community outreach, organizational leadership, and her commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion in the technology field.

Work Experience 

  • Angel Investor

    2024 - Current

    You.com is the world’s first open search engine platform that summarizes the web for users, with no ads, superior privacy options, and personalization.

You.com is an AI chatbot and search engine that uses LLM to deliver personalized responses to queries with human-like replies.

Raised $95,000,000.00 from Georgian, SBVA, Day One Ventures, Alumni Ventures, DuckDuckGo, NVIDIA and Salesforce Ventures.

  • Angel Investor

    2024

    GrubMarket is the AI-powered technology enabler and digital transformer of the American food supply chain industry. It is the first mover of building B2B eCommerce, as well as the first mover of providing Enterprise AI Solutions to the American food supply chain industry. It is one of the largest private food tech companies in the United States and the world.

GrubMarket is an AI-powered prominent B2B eCommerce business operating in the American food supply chain industry.

Raised $499,100,000.00 from Liberty Street Funds, The K Fund, ROC VENTURE GROUP, Grosvenor Food & AgTech, Celtic House Asia Partners, Apeira Capital, Squarepoint Capital, Tiger Global Management, Disruptive Ventures and Walleye Capital.

  • Angel Investor

    2024

    L-Nutra Inc is a leading health tech company providing innovative solutions in nutrition for longevity.

L-Nutra is a biotech company that develops life science and nutrition products.

Raised $47,000,000.00 from Brentwood Associates and Stephane Bancel.

  • Angel Investor

    2023

    Backpack Health, formerly Youme Healthcare, is a pediatric mental health provider whose services include a digital self-care app, virtual therapy sessions for children and teens, psychiatry and medication management and virtual resources for parents. Backpack Health has developed an app that uses AI to help monitor a client’s emotions and then match them with an appropriate therapist.

  • LP Investor - FemTech III Fund

    2023

    Investing Member

Portfolia creates investment funds designed for women, backing innovative companies, for returns and impact

  • Chief Executive Officer

    2023

  • LP Investor

    2022

First Close Partners backs venture funds owned by underrepresented managers.

  • Founder and CEO

    2022

    As founder of the revolutionary transformative organization Black Girls CODE, Kimberly is determined to take the vision of creating the next generation of tech innovators even further. The goal of Ascend Ventures Tech is not just about creating a “generation of coders”. While it is certainly important to understand the tools of technology, generational transformation occurs when we teach innovators to use those tools to build. Building new innovations is what drives change. Building new innovation is what creates pathways. OWNERSHIP of those innovations creates generational change.

  • External Advisory Council

    2017

Nielsen provides a comprehensive understanding of what consumers watch and buy.

Raised $650,000,000.00.

  • Angel Investor

    2020 - 2024

Champion 40A is a fintech company that provides software solutions for borrowers and lenders.

Articles About Kimberly

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