At FORWARD.one, we’re proud to announce the launch of our third fund: Fund III, targeting €200 million with a hard cap of €250 million. The majority of this target is already secured from both returning and new investors. This is a strong vote of confidence in our commercially driven investment approach, our track record of top-tier performance, and a relentless focus on turning bold technology into market-leading companies.
With Fund III, we will invest in 25-30 early-stage industrial tech companies across the Benelux, DACH, Nordics, and other European innovation hubs. Our initial investments will range from €1-3 million, with significant reserves for follow-on rounds.
Fund III gives us more capacity to back Europe’s most ambitious founders. The strong early support we’ve received shows the belief in our approach, and in the opportunities ahead for industrial technology.
From day one, we’ve been driven to deliver exceptional results.
Our strategy is straightforward: invest early, scale fast, and drive exits through our network and hands-on support. With Fund III, we will continue to help founders commercialize breakthrough technologies into products that shape everyday life, while delivering outstanding returns for our investors.
“Fund III gives us more capacity to support Europe’s boldest innovators,” says Riemer Smink, Managing Partner at FORWARD.one. “Securing the majority of our commitments this early shows the deep belief in our strategy, and in the opportunities ahead in industrial technology.”
We know that Europe has a unique advantage in complex, tangible technologies, from chips to robotics to sensors. Companies like ASML, ABB, Infineon, and STMicroelectronics have built world-leading ecosystems that are hard to replicate and provide fertile ground for the next generation of winners.
Even in a tougher fundraising environment, we see momentum building in industrial technology. With governments and corporates pushing for technological sovereignty, climate resilience, and competitiveness, demand is only accelerating.
This is where we thrive: combining Europe’s industrial strengths with our commercial expertise, tough-love ethos, and bold way of thinking.
“Our strategy is proven: invest early, scale fast, and deliver exits,” says Beau-Anne Chilla, Partner at FORWARD.one. “With Fund III, we will continue backing founders who dare to build transformative technologies, and help them commercialize innovations that end up in society at scale.”
We founded FORWARD.one in 2017 with a clear ambition: to be Europe’s most commercially oriented, exceptional VC firm. Our team combines entrepreneurial drive, technical
knowledge, and financial expertise, and our funds consistently rank among the top 5% of European VC funds.
“Europe’s strength in industrial technology is unmatched,” says Arjan Göbel, Partner at FORWARD.one. “These ecosystems are almost impossible to replicate elsewhere, and we see enormous opportunities to back the next champions here.”
We’ve proven that non-conformist bets create the biggest wins. By helping founders commercialize technology faster and better, we build companies that not only deliver outstanding returns but also make an impact in everyday life.
And with Fund III, we’re ready to do it again.
