New commitments from ABN AMRO Corporate Investments and the European Investment Fund strengthen Europe’s industrial future
FORWARD.one announces new commitments into Fund III from ABN AMRO Corporate Investments and the European Investment Fund (EIF), reinforcing the momentum behind our fund dedicated to Europe’s next generation of industrial technology champions.
We have earned trust through performance and through deploying a strategy built on commercializing breakthrough technologies in Europe.
“Bringing ABN and the EIF on board showcases trust in our investment thesis: commercializing Europe’s breakthrough technologies”
Riemer Smink, Managing Partner, FORWARD.one
Fund I (2018) already delivered a 40% net IRR and 2x DPI, placing it among Europe’s top-performing VC funds according to PitchBook. Realized exits include Sensorfact (acquired by ABB) and Mayht (acquired by Sonos). Five companies remain active with strong upside potential. Also, Fund II (€145M, 2021) is similarly on track across semiconductors, robotics, climate innovation, and advanced hardware.
With Fund III, we will invest in 25–30 early-stage industrial technology companies across the Benelux, DACH, Nordics, and Europe’s leading innovation hubs. Initial tickets start small, ranging from €1–3 million, but we keep significant reserves for follow-on for our winners (up to €35m, or more). Our strategy remains unchanged: invest early, scale fast, drive exits.
Semiconductors. Robotics. Climate systems. Photonics. Advanced manufacturing.
From ASML and ABB to Infineon and STMicroelectronics, Europe has built ecosystems that are difficult to replicate and increasingly strategic. As governments and corporations push for technological sovereignty, energy resilience, and industrial competitiveness, demand for scalable deeptech is accelerating.
“We are pleased with our investment in Forward.One’s Fund III. We are proud to support a team that brings a unique combination of entrepreneurial, technical, and commercial expertise. This partnership aligns strongly with our strategy to develop and accelerate the Dutch and European tech ecosystem.”
Inge van den Biggelaar, Investment Manager, ABN AMRO Corporate Investments
Our model is commercialization-first. We work hands-on with founders to sharpen value propositions, accelerate customer traction, structure scalable go-to-market models, and prepare disciplined follow-on rounds.
“Europe’s strength in industrial technology is unmatched. These ecosystems are almost impossible to replicate elsewhere, and we see enormous opportunities to back the next champions here.”
Arjan Göbel, Partner, FORWARD.one
With Fund III, we have more capital to back Europe’s boldest industrial founders. More firepower for follow-on rounds. More support for scaling technologies that matter.
We founded FORWARD.one with a clear ambition: to become Europe’s most commercially oriented industrial technology VC. Our funds rank among Europe’s top tier. Our companies build tangible technologies that shape industries.
Now we raise Fund III to do it again.
