Welcome to AscendRural

Bridging the gap between innovation and rural America to improve well-being.

Startups & Innovators

Get real-world feedback.

Community Collaborators

Test tech tools to improve your community's well-being.

Funders & Investors

Invest in scalable, community-led innovation.

Thought Leaders & Researchers

See how community pilots inform smarter rural change.

Powered by partnerships

Pilot smarter. Scale faster. Improve rural well-being.

We bring together local leaders and the innovation community to fund and facilitate technology pilots in rural communities.

By the numbers

14

8

Pilots in queue

Pilots executed

Startups rural ready through AscendRural

250+

Startups engaged

16

Rural changemakers convened

5

Publications

250+

Rural leaders wanted to help improve access to care & services

Rural residents travel over twice as far for healthcare compared to urban populations. We're exploring how to improve access and want your help shaping the work.

Featured opportunity

Featured story

Closing the Rural Care Gap: AgeTech Startups Bringing Healthcare Closer to Older Adults

Older adults in small towns and remote, rural communities across America often sit at an unfortunate intersection of poor health and inaccessible healthcare. In short: those who need quality healthcare the most are the ones who have the hardest time getting it.