Frequently Asked Questions
Find out more about Forward Technologies Ventures.
How are you different from other accelerators or private venture capital investors?
Our focus is on data-driven investments that have measurable goals and either a clear space in the market or an obvious ability to disrupt existing paradigms.
We focus on bringing in a select group that is both diverse and complementary, so help us create a small community of like-minded companies.
We also get creative with our deal-making and like to bring in suitable partners for many of our investments.
What types of companies do you work with?
We are not focused on a specific vertical or type of company. We also are happy to get in on any stage of a company's lifecycle when it makes sense to do so.
Do you require equity and board seats?
Not at all. Every deal is different and equity ownership is an important incentive for us and our partner investors. We often feel the traditional equity and board relationship makes the most sense and we favor any deal structure that creates a long-term relationship. But there are many other options available and we are always looking to be creative.
Do applicants need to be located on the East Coast?
No. We focus on our specific geographic niche, but we are happy to explore a deal with anyone in the world. We favor local companies for a few reasons. For one, we often ask for in-person presentations. We also sometimes find that our data-driven approach won't work if we can't gather data that's relevant to you and your local market.
If we aren't ready to accelerate, can we still work with you?
We have formal partnerships and relationships with many companies that we don't directly invest in. When a deal isn't quite right for us, we are always happy to provide a referral and advice to good companies, products, and people.
What criteria makes for a strong applicant?
We find that the best deals come from products and companies that have clear, measurable goals. We use data analytics to project your potential place in the market or your ability to disrupt.
Other key difference-makers are the passion, competency, and knowledge of your team as well as the overall acumen of your key personnel.