
Forward Partners
Description
Forward Partners is a prominent London-based venture capital firm established in 2013, specializing in early-stage investments from Seed to Series A. The firm distinguishes itself by offering not only capital but also significant operational support to its portfolio companies, encompassing areas such as talent acquisition, growth marketing, and product development. This hands-on approach aims to accelerate the growth and success of the startups they back, fostering a strong foundation for scaling.
The firm primarily targets companies operating within the applied AI, marketplace, and e-commerce sectors. Forward Partners seeks out innovative businesses that leverage technology to disrupt traditional markets or create new ones, demonstrating a clear path to scalability and strong unit economics. Their investment thesis is rooted in identifying founders with compelling visions and providing them with the necessary resources and expertise to execute their strategies effectively.
Forward Partners typically deploys initial checks ranging from approximately $317,500 to $6,350,000 (based on their stated £250,000 to £5,000,000 range). To date, they have built a robust portfolio of over 70 companies, showcasing their active presence in the UK startup ecosystem. A testament to their portfolio's strength, their companies have collectively raised over £1.5 billion in follow-on funding from various investors. In 2022, Forward Partners successfully closed its Fund IV at £40 million, further solidifying its capacity to support promising early-stage ventures.
Investor Profile
Forward Partners has backed more than 96 startups, with 0 new investments in the last 12 months alone. The firm has led 37 rounds, about 39% of its total and boasts 16 exits across its portfolio.
Investment Focus Highlights
- Concentrates on Seed, Series A, Pre Seed rounds (top funding stages).
- Majority of deals are located in United Kingdom, United States, Israel.
- Strong thematic focus on E-Commerce, Information Technology, Software.
- Typical check size: $317.5K – $6.3M.
Stage Focus
- Seed (57%)
- Series A (18%)
- Pre Seed (8%)
- Series Unknown (7%)
- Series B (5%)
- Equity Crowdfunding (1%)
- Series D (1%)
- Angel (1%)
- Series G (1%)
Country Focus
- United Kingdom (91%)
- United States (6%)
- Israel (2%)
- Germany (1%)
Industry Focus
- E-commerce
- Information Technology
- Software
- Health Care
- Fintech
- Fashion
- Marketplace
- Saas
- Wellness
- Finance
Frequently Asked Questions
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