The ASCEND Collective®
The ASCEND Collective is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that uses AI-powered skills translation and a resume-free matching platform to connect military veterans, spouses, individuals with disabilities, and other underserved talent to civilian employers via experiential learning labs, online academies, and DoD/DOL program partnerships.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2018
- HeadquartersGreenville, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What The ASCEND Collective® does
The ASCEND Collective® is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit workforce development organization founded in 2018 and headquartered in Greenville, South Carolina, with a nationwide operating footprint. It serves military veterans, transitioning service members, military spouses, individuals with disabilities, justice-impacted individuals, career changers, and small business founders through a portfolio of community-specific programs including Veterans ASCEND, MilSpouse ASCEND, Ability ASCEND, Mission2 ASCEND, Pathways for Career Changers, and Founders ASCEND.
The organization's core technology is an AI-powered skills translation and matching platform, branded Talents ASCEND, that converts military and life experience into civilian-ready skills profiles and auto-matches candidates to employer opportunities without resumes or job board searching. Complementary products include Vanguard Rising, a six-week team-based experiential applied learning lab where participants complete employer-sponsored projects and earn Agile workflow certification; Northern Compass Academy, an online learning hub with tailored career readiness content; Compass Discovery Channels, an interactive strengths assessment delivered through the Foundation for Talent Transformation; and the H.O.P.E. for HR Leadership framework for small business founders.
Revenue is generated through individual donations (the organization claims 90% of every donated dollar goes to program delivery), corporate sponsorships and employer hiring/customization fees (structured as tax-deductible contributions to the 501(c)(3)), and government program funding through official provider status with DoD SkillBridge, the Department of Labor Employment Navigator and Partnership Program (ENPP), and the Military Spouse Employment Partnership (MSEP). Named corporate supporters include Truist Foundation, Wells Fargo, Costco, and Walmart, and the organization operates with a six-person team supported by Robyn J. Grable (Founder/CEO) and Nila Thompson (Chief of Staff).
The ASCEND Collective® firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The ASCEND Collective®
- Legal name
- The ASCEND Collective
- Website
- https://theascendcollective.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2018
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- The ASCEND Collective is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that uses AI-powered skills translation and a resume-free matching platform to connect military veterans, spouses, individuals with disabilities, and other underserved talent to civilian employers via experiential learning labs, online academies, and DoD/DOL program partnerships.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The ASCEND Collective® industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Workforce Development and Career Transition Services
- NAICS
- Educational Support Services (611710), Apprenticeship Training (611513), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (6243)
- SIC
- Services-Employment Agencies (7361)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Veterans & Military-to-Civilian Transition Programs (EDAAAOAH)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Internship/Apprenticeship Matching & Work-Based Learning Platforms (EDAFAMAL), College & Career Transition Services (Bridge Programs, Dual Enrollment Pathways) (EDAAABAK), Credentialing, Digital Badges & Micro-Credential Platforms (EDAFADAF), Mentoring, Coaching, Alumni Networking & Peer Support Platforms (EDAFAMAN)
Keywords
Where The ASCEND Collective® is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Greenville
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
The ASCEND Collective® business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Donations and Charitable Contributions: As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, The ASCEND Collective relies on donations from individuals and organizations. They state that 90% of every dollar donated goes directly to fueling futures for their programs.
- Employer Hiring Fees and Sponsorships: Employers pay hiring fees or sponsorship contributions to support programs and gain access to pre-screened, skills-translated talent. Corporate partners can sponsor Northern Compass Academy, Vanguard Rising Lab, or H.O.P.E. for HR Leadership course.
- Workforce Customization Fees: Employers can customize Vanguard Rising curriculum, virtual reality training, projects, and pathway outcomes to their roles, tools, and performance expectations. This investment is described as a tax-deductible donation to the 501(c)(3).
- Government Program Partnerships: Partnership with Department of Defense SkillBridge program provides funding for transitioning service member training. Additional partnerships with DOL Employment Navigator Program and Military Spouse Employment Partnership (MSEP).
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels9 records
The ASCEND Collective® product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The ASCEND Collective is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that uses AI-powered skills translation and experiential applied learning to prepare military-connected and underserved talent (veterans, military spouses, individuals with disabilities, justice-involved individuals) for civilian careers, then directly matches them to employers without resumes or job boards. Core offerings include the Vanguard Rising applied learning lab, Northern Compass Academy online learning hub, and the Talents ASCEND AI skills-matching platform, with employer-funded sponsorships and SkillsBridge pathways supporting program delivery.
Product overview
The ASCEND Collective is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit offering a portfolio of skills-first workforce development programs united by an AI-powered skills matching platform. The core offerings span Vanguard Rising (an experiential applied learning lab combining AI skills translation, career readiness, and Agile team-based projects) and Northern Compass Academy (an online learning hub providing courses and career tools). Individual community tracks — Veterans ASCEND, MilSpouse ASCEND, Ability ASCEND, Mission2 ASCEND, Pathways for Career Changers, and SkillBridge — each serve specific underserved talent populations through the shared AI-powered Talents ASCEND skills matching platform, which automatically matches candidates to employers without resumes or job boards. Additional offerings include Founders ASCEND (entrepreneurship support including the H.O.P.E. for HR Leadership course), the L-EAF Lab partnership for immersive learning, and Compass Discovery Channels for strengths-based career assessment.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Vanguard Rising: Experiential applied learning lab where employers bring real work into a structured six-week team environment for veterans and military spouses to gain real experience.
- H.O.P.E. Model of Success
- Compass Discovery Channels
- Northern Compass Academy
- L-EAF Lab Career Matching Portal
Products and services
- Vanguard Rising A skills-first, experiential applied learning lab where teams of veterans and military spouses work on employer-aligned projects in a structured six-week Agile team environment, earning portfolio deliverables and Agile workflow certification while employers observe talent in action before hiring decisions.
- Northern Compass Academy Online learning hub providing career readiness courses, tools, and resources tailored to veterans, military spouses, people with disabilities, justice-involved individuals, and career changers, including Compass Discovery Channels for strengths assessment.
- Veterans ASCEND Community track within Northern Compass Academy providing veterans and transitioning service members with skills translation, career readiness tools, and direct connections to employers who value capability over credentials.
- MilSpouse ASCEND Community track supporting military spouses with portable, skills-first career pathways, personalized coaching, LinkedIn optimization, and direct connections to employment opportunities resilient through frequent moves and deployments.
- Ability ASCEND Community track for individuals with diverse abilities, providing skills-first career support and inclusive hiring resources that remove barriers and connect talent to employers who value diverse capabilities.
- Mission2 ASCEND Community track for previously incarcerated individuals and justice-involved talent, offering self-help resources, mentoring, and community-based advocacy to build employment readiness and unlock economic stability.
- Pathways for Career Changers Community track for individuals preparing for career transitions, offering Compass Discovery Channels for strengths assessment, Northern Compass Academy learning resources, and AI-powered skills matching to employment opportunities.
- Founders ASCEND Initiative championing and supporting entrepreneurs and small business founders through tools, mentorship, networking, and the H.O.P.E. Model of Success (Hiring, Onboarding, Performance, and Engagement) HR training framework.
- SkillBridge Program Department of Defense program pathway through which The ASCEND Collective delivers hands-on, competency-based training for transitioning service members, building directly on military experience while preparing them for meaningful civilian careers.
- Talents ASCEND Skills Matching Platform AI-powered skills matching platform where candidates build free skills profiles that are automatically matched to employment opportunities and employers, eliminating traditional job boards and resume-based applications.
- H.O.P.E. for HR Leadership HR training framework for small business founders covering Hiring, Onboarding, Performance, and Engagement, providing skills-first job descriptions, onboarding systems, structured interviews, and performance management tools.
Quantifiable outcome
- 10,000+ skills translations completed
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use The ASCEND Collective®
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments7 records
Ideal customer profiles6 records
The ASCEND Collective® technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability3 records
Feature4 records
The ASCEND Collective® partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.
- L-EAF LabcoreGroundbreaking partnership between The ASCEND Collective and L-EAF Lab to advance skills-first workforce readiness. L-EAF Lab's immersive learning model prepares students for roles in cybersecurity, agentic AI, and digital infrastructure. Integration with The ASCEND Collective's skills-matching platform and wraparound employment services provides graduates direct access to career opportunities with employer partners.
- Department of Defense SkillBridgecoreThe ASCEND Collective is an official SkillBridge program provider, providing transitioning service members with hands-on, competency-based training that builds directly on their military experience while preparing them for meaningful civilian careers. Through structured roles, mentorship, and real-world projects, participants gain practical skills in high-demand fields.
- Department of Labor Employment Navigator Program (ENPP)coreAs a proud partner of the U.S. Department of Labor's Employment Navigator and Partnership Program, The ASCEND Collective provides personalized career guidance and employment support to service members as they transition from military to civilian life through one-on-one career counseling, skills pathways, and direct connections to skills-first employment opportunities.
- Military Spouse Employment Partnership (MSEP)coreAs a recognized Department of Labor Military Spouse Employment Partner, The ASCEND Collective is committed to empowering military spouses with career support that meets the unique challenges of a mobile, service-driven lifestyle through personalized career coaching, skills pathways, LinkedIn optimization, and direct connections to portable employment opportunities.
- NVBDC (National Veteran Business Development Council)supportingPartnership with NVBDC to support veteran-owned businesses and veteran employment initiatives.
- Foundation for Talent TransformationcorePartnership provides the Compass Discovery Channels assessment tool that helps participants uncover strengths, preferences, and motivations, translating insights into practical career direction.
- Act Now EducationsupportingEducational partner supporting workforce development and career readiness programs.
- Greenville County Economic DevelopmentsupportingLocal economic development partner supporting workforce initiatives in the Greenville, SC area.
- iZen Boots2BytessupportingTechnology partner focused on bridging boots (military) to bytes (tech) workforce transitions.
- Rosie NetworksupportingNetwork supporting military spouse employment and entrepreneurship initiatives.
- iZen Boots2BytessupportingPartnership focused on technology workforce development for military-connected talent.
- Military Spouse Chamber of Commerce (MSCC)supportingPartnership with MSCC to advance military spouse entrepreneurship and employment opportunities.
- South Carolina Department of Veterans Affairs (SCDVA)supportingState-level partnership supporting veteran services and workforce development in South Carolina.
- Operation New UniformsupportingVeteran-focused organization partnership supporting transition services for veterans.
- Virginia Values Veterans (V3)supportingVirginia-specific partnership supporting veteran employment and workforce development.
- HBI (Helmets to Hardhats)supportingPartnership supporting veteran placement in construction and building trades careers.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
The ASCEND Collective® competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- LinkedIn (Microsoft): Dominant professional networking platform with built-in skills taxonomy, job matching, and veteran community features. Competes indirectly through employer-side tools and skills-based hiring products.
- Indeed: Major job matching platform with skills-based search and veteran-friendly hiring filters. Represents the resume-and-keyword-based paradigm that ASCEND explicitly differentiates against.
- American Job Centers (DOL Workforce System): Government-run workforce development network providing career services, training referrals, and employment assistance. Serves as a broader incumbent in the same workforce development space, including military transition.
Direct peers
- FourBlock: Nonprofit that supports veteran career transition through cohort-based fellowships and corporate mentorship. Directly comparable in its cohort-based, employer-engaged model for transitioning service members transitioning into civilian careers.
- Veterati: Veteran mentorship and career matching platform connecting military talent to civilian mentors and employers. Closely comparable in its tech-enabled, skills-first approach to veteran employment matching.
- Warrior Rising: Nonprofit supporting veteran entrepreneurship and career transition through training, mentorship, and community programs. Comparable in its multi-program nonprofit structure serving the veteran community.
- Hire Heroes USA: Leading nonprofit providing employment transition services to U.S. military veterans, service members, and military spouses. Directly competing for the same government contracts (SkillBridge, DOL) and employer sponsorship dollars targeting the same candidate segments.
- Hiring Our Heroes (U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation): Large-scale veteran and military spouse employment program operated by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation. Directly competes for the same employer partnerships and military transition talent pool, with significantly larger resources.
- Helmets to Hardhats (HBI): Nonprofit placing veterans into skilled construction trades apprenticeships. A current partner of ASCEND, but operates as a comparable workforce development nonprofit for a specific occupational vertical.
- Operation New Uniform: Veteran-focused nonprofit providing career transition services including training and employer matching. Currently a partner of The ASCEND Collective but operates comparable workforce development programs for veterans.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks4 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
The ASCEND Collective® social profiles
Digital presenceThe ASCEND Collective® financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The ASCEND Collective® leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
The ASCEND Collective® funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The ASCEND Collective® M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about The ASCEND Collective®
What does The ASCEND Collective® do?
The ASCEND Collective is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that uses AI-powered skills translation and experiential applied learning to prepare military-connected and underserved talent (veterans, military spouses, individuals with disabilities, justice-involved individuals) for civilian careers, then directly matches them to employers without resumes or job boards. Core offerings include the Vanguard Rising applied learning lab, Northern Compass Academy online learning hub, and the Talents ASCEND AI skills-matching platform, with employer-funded sponsorships and SkillsBridge pathways supporting program delivery.
Is The ASCEND Collective® a public or private company?
The ASCEND Collective® is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was The ASCEND Collective® founded?
The ASCEND Collective® was founded in 2018. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is The ASCEND Collective® based?
The ASCEND Collective® is headquartered in Greenville, United States, in the North America region.
How does The ASCEND Collective® make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Donations and Charitable Contributions are the primary driver. The others are employer Hiring Fees and Sponsorships, workforce Customization Fees and government Program Partnerships.
Who are The ASCEND Collective®'s main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are LinkedIn (Microsoft), Indeed and American Job Centers (DOL Workforce System). Direct peers are FourBlock, Veterati, Warrior Rising, Hire Heroes USA, Hiring Our Heroes (U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation), Helmets to Hardhats (HBI) and Operation New Uniform.
Does The ASCEND Collective® have an API?
No public API is recorded for The ASCEND Collective®.
What industry is The ASCEND Collective® in?
The ASCEND Collective®'s product category is Workforce Development and Career Transition Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAAAOAH, Veterans & Military-to-Civilian Transition Programs, with a secondary code of EDAFAMAL, Internship/Apprenticeship Matching & Work-Based Learning Platforms. Its NAICS code is 611710 and its SIC code is 7361.