Funding Tomorrow's Innovations Today
We invest £300K-£3M in early-stage UK startups pioneering in applied AI, ecommerce, and marketplaces.
Backing Visionary Founders Since Day One
Forward Partners is a UK-based venture capital firm that invests in early-stage startups with transformative potential in applied AI, ecommerce, and marketplaces.
We partner with founders from idea stage to early revenue, providing capital, expertise, and resources to accelerate growth and maximize impact.
£300K - £3M
Investment range for promising ventures
UK Focus
Supporting British innovation ecosystem
Our Investment Focus
We identify and support the most promising UK startups across three strategic sectors.
Applied AI
Startups leveraging machine learning, computer vision, NLP, and predictive analytics to solve real-world problems.
- AI-powered automation solutions
- Data-driven decision platforms
- Enterprise AI applications
E-commerce
Innovative online retail platforms transforming how consumers discover, purchase, and receive products.
- Direct-to-consumer brands
- Omnichannel retail solutions
- Sustainable commerce platforms
Marketplaces
Two-sided platforms connecting buyers and sellers in niche markets with untapped potential.
- B2B marketplace solutions
- Service-based marketplaces
- Community-driven platforms
Ready to Pitch Your Startup?
We invest £300K to £3M in UK startups from idea stage to early revenue. If your venture aligns with our focus areas, we'd love to hear from you.
Apply for FundingOur Portfolio
We've partnered with visionary founders building tomorrow's game-changing companies.
Aiven
Aiven is a data cloud providing the best managed, open-source data infrastructure services to cover all of the needs of complex internet applications.
CausaLens
causaLens is pioneering the world’s first platform for building AI data scientists—empowering everyone to create and deploy their own data science agents in days.
Crowdcube
B2B marketplace connecting businesses with on-demand professional service providers.
Our Funding Process
From application to investment, we've designed a clear path to help you secure the capital you need.
Initial Application
Submit your pitch deck highlighting your team, product, market opportunity, and funding requirements through our online portal.
"The application process was straightforward and allowed us to clearly present our vision."
Initial Screening
Our investment team reviews your application to assess fit with our investment focus, team expertise, and market potential.
"We received thoughtful feedback even during the screening phase."
Deep Dive Meeting
Selected founders are invited to meet with our investment team to present their vision and answer questions in detail.
"The deep dive wasn't just about numbers—they really wanted to understand our mission."
Due Diligence
We conduct thorough analysis of your business model, technology, market opportunity, financials, and legal aspects.
"Their due diligence process was rigorous but actually helped us refine our strategy."
Investment & Partnership
Upon approval, we present term sheets, finalize agreements, and welcome you into our portfolio with ongoing support and resources.
"Forward Partners didn't just invest money—they became true partners in our growth journey."
Typically 4-6 Weeks
From initial application to funding decision
Frequently Asked Questions
We invest in three primary stages: Idea/Patent, Prototype, and Early Revenue. We're comfortable supporting founders from the concept stage through to early commercial traction.
Our investments range from £300K for early-stage startups to £3M for companies showing significant traction. The exact amount depends on your stage, needs, and growth potential.
We actively lead investment rounds and are comfortable being the first institutional investor in startups. We also participate in rounds with other VCs when there's strong alignment.
Beyond capital, we provide strategic guidance, operational support, access to our network of industry experts, recruiting assistance, and connections to future investors for follow-on rounds.
Ready to Start Your Funding Journey?
If you're building an innovative startup in applied AI, e-commerce, or marketplaces, we want to hear from you.
Apply for FundingMeet Our Team
Our experienced team brings diverse expertise to help founders build exceptional companies.
Leadership Team
Investment Team
Michael Roberts
Principal, AI Investments
PhD in Machine Learning with expertise in evaluating AI startups and technology assessment.
Jessica Lee
Principal, E-commerce
Former DTC brand founder with deep knowledge of e-commerce platforms and consumer behavior.
Thomas Williams
Principal, Marketplaces
Marketplace growth expert with experience scaling two-sided platforms across multiple industries.
Olivia Parker
Associate, AI & Marketplaces
Data scientist and business strategist focused on early-stage opportunity assessment.
Platform Team
Our Platform Approach
Our dedicated platform team provides hands-on operational support to help portfolio companies accelerate growth and overcome challenges.
Join Our Team
We're always looking for passionate individuals to join our mission of supporting the next generation of transformative startups.
View Open PositionsSuccess Stories
Hear from founders who've partnered with Forward Partners on their growth journey.
"Forward Partners' hands-on approach was transformative for our AI startup. Their strategic guidance and technical expertise helped us refine our product and accelerate our market entry by at least 6 months."
"What sets Forward Partners apart is their network. They connected us with key retail partners that would have taken years to reach on our own. Their platform team was instrumental in scaling our operations."
"Starting with just an idea, Forward Partners believed in our vision when others wouldn't take the risk. Their framework for marketplace startups helped us avoid common pitfalls and find product-market fit quickly."
"Forward Partners isn't just capital - they're true company builders. Their operational support helped us build our first prototype, recruit key team members, and secure our next funding round at a 3x valuation."
Founder Success Metrics
Real results that speak louder than words
Want to Join Our Success Stories?
We're looking for ambitious founders building the next generation of AI, e-commerce, and marketplace startups.
Apply for FundingGet in Touch
Ready to discuss your startup? We're here to help you take the next step.
Apply for Funding
London Headquarters
Where innovation meets investment
Address
123 Innovation Square, Shoreditch
London, EC1V 9AB, United Kingdom
Phone
+44 20 1234 5678
Office Hours
We offer free advisory sessions for startups in our focus areas. Book a 30-minute slot with our investment team.
Schedule a Meeting