Ascent has acquired Parkside Interactive, a leading European custom software and experience design business. This strategic move marks a significant step forward in Ascent’s mission to revolutionise the digital landscape for its customers through innovative AI-led solutions and immersive user experiences.

Parkside is a mature and experienced provider of software development, UX and design-led advisory services that help innovative companies build, improve and scale digital products and platforms. Established in 2007 and operating out of Austria (Graz, Vienna, Linz), Switzerland (Basel) and Portugal (Porto), the business serves a wide range of customers, from Silicon Valley tech giants Shutterstock and LinkedIn to global enterprises like Roche and Novartis and market leaders in DACH including Buhler and Raiffeisen Bank.

This deal builds on Ascent’s 2022 acquisition of Tekaris in Munich, doubling the business’ footprint in one of Ascent’s two core customer markets with the addition of 100+ experienced software and data engineers, designers and digital strategists to its multi-skilled practices. The combined business is now a frontrunner in delivering next-generation solutions that seamlessly blend Gen AI, analytics and insight with immersive user experiences.

The acquisition reflects Ascent’s engineering heritage and scales its ability to create world-class digital experiences, services, products and platforms for customers.

Seasoned Parkside CEO Christoph Platzer will stay on and oversee the expansion of Ascent’s DACH business to match its UK revenues, positioning the combined entity as a leader in AI, data and software for DACH and establishing a strong in-region Microsoft partnership that mirrors Ascent’s UK success.

DACH is one of the most mature and dynamic markets in Europe, featuring a number of ‘hidden champions’: 3000 companies with more than €1bn revenues that exist in niche markets, all of whom represent huge opportunity for our combined business as they innovate and modernise. Parkside’s deep experience design and engineering capabilities are the perfect complement to Ascent’s data, AI and advanced analytics specialisms, opening up a world of possibility for clients seeking to differentiate themselves in an increasingly competitive digital landscape.

Stewart Smythe, CEO, Ascent

Smythe continued: “We’ve evaluated a large number of businesses in this region over the last 12 months and Christoph’s leadership and the expertise and creativity of his people stood out starkly. We are gaining a fantastic team in a thriving market.”

Christoph Platzer, CEO at Parkside, said: “Ascent is a great strategic fit for us and marks a significant step in our evolution. By joining forces, we can accelerate our data and AI journey, allowing us to unlock enormous value for our clients in the DACH region by combining AI, data, design, and software engineering excellence to deliver real-world digital impact. The timing couldn’t be better. Moreover, our complementary geographic reach, industry expertise, company size and cultural alignment make this an ideal collaboration.”