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Ascend empowers entrepreneurial CPAs to reach their goals with an innovative growth model that brings their firms into the new age. Backed by private equity from people-focused Alpine Investors, Ascend is building a modern platform for regional accounting firms that enables them to stay independent while accessing the resources of a large CPA firm to help them grow. Ascend provides access to growth capital, robust talent acquisition, best-of-breed technology, a catalytic leadership system, shared back-office services, and modernized equity incentives so that firms can surmount todays industry challenges and reach their full potential. Founded in January 2023, the company attained revenues sufficient to qualify it as a Top 100 U.S. accounting firm within six months of operation.
American Freight Furniture & Mattress is a discount retailer based in the U.S., specializing in furniture, mattresses, and home appliances. Founded in 1994 in Lima, Ohio, the company has expanded to over 370 locations nationwide and serves more than 5 million customers. It operates under a warehouse-style model that emphasizes affordability and quality, offering direct-to-consumer sales. The product range includes living room sets, bedroom furniture, dining room pieces, mattresses, and a variety of home appliances such as refrigerators and washers. American Freight also provides same-day delivery for in-stock items. The company targets budget-conscious shoppers, including families and first-time homeowners, and features products from trusted brands. With a focus on cost efficiency, American Freight combines new and reconditioned inventory to maintain low prices, making quality home goods accessible to a wide audience.
Icreon is a leading customer experience transformation company providing organizations with digital strategy consulting, design, and engineering services at scale. Founded in 2000 and headquartered in New York with offices in London and New Delhi, Icreon specializes in serving Fortune 500 clients including industry leaders like Johnson Controls, Acrisure, Jets.com to the Major League Baseball Players Association. Fortune 500 companies, growing brands, and non-profits partner with Icreon to enable their next phase of growth through digital.
American Business Development Corporation (ABD) helps B2B service providers build scalable, high-impact business development (BD) operations. We specialize in structuring BD strategies, aligning marketing and outreach efforts, and securing key partnerships to drive growth. Whether through a customized Business Development Plan®, implementing BD processes, or serving as an outsourced BD team, ABD ensures companies have the tools, strategy, and execution needed to expand their client pipeline and increase revenue. ABD was founded on the belief that business development is built on relationships, not automation. We dont rely on spam emails or impersonal outreach. Instead, we focus on strategic engagement, tailored messaging, and real human connections to generate high-quality leads and long-term partnerships. Our expertise spans industries such as life sciences, medical devices, professional services, and international trade, helping companies break into new markets and optimize BD functions. For companies expanding into the U.S. market, ABD provides outsourced BD solutions, acting as a dedicated U.S.-based BD team. We represent companies at key industry conferences, execute outreach on partnering platforms, conduct meetings, and manage post-conference follow-up—ensuring that warm, engaged leads are seamlessly transferred to the clients internal team. This eliminates costly international travel while maximizing business development opportunities. ABD also supports export strategies, helping companies expand into foreign markets through strategic partnerships, trade mission planning, and regulatory alignment. With over 20 years of international economic development experience, we connect businesses with high-value clients and funding opportunities through government agencies, accelerators, and industry leaders. At ABD, we dont just generate leads—we build long-term, sustainable BD operations that drive growth beyond our engagement.