Forum Ventures
Forum Ventures is a B2B pre-seed fund, accelerator, and AI venture studio based in New York City. Founded in 2014 (formerly known as Accelprise), Forum Ventures has funded over 430 companies and built one of the largest founder communities in B2B software with 1,300 founders. The firm specializes in B2B SaaS, AI startups, and provides hands-on support through venture studio services, an accelerator program, and pre-seed funding. 1
Forum has raised a $20 million venture studio fund to build AI-native B2B companies and is known for its founder-first approach. The firm makes 73% of its investments at pre-seed stage, making it one of the most active pre-seed funds for B2B software. 5
History
Forum Ventures was founded in 2014 as Accelprise with a focus on helping early-stage B2B software companies. Over 10 years, the firm has evolved from an accelerator into a full-stack venture platform that includes a venture studio, accelerator, and pre-seed fund. The firm rebranded to Forum Ventures to better reflect its mission as a supportive partner on the founder journey. 2
The founding team has extensive operator experience, having built software companies of their own. This experience informs their approach: they are ex-founders and operators who are passionate about supporting portfolio founders through the zero-to-one journey. 2
Investment Approach
Forum Ventures focuses exclusively on B2B software companies, with particular emphasis on AI startups. The firm provides multiple entry points depending on founder needs: venture studio for concept-stage companies, accelerator for MVP-stage startups, and pre-seed fund for companies looking to scale. 1
What They Look For:
- B2B software and AI startups
- Founders with operator experience
- Companies that have potential for institutional funding
- Early product-market fit in vertical markets
Programs:
- AI Venture Studio: Gets involved at the concept level, co-creating startups with founders
- Accelerator: 12-week program focused on go-to-market and fundraising
- Pre-Seed Fund: Investment and support for scaling 4
Support for Founders
What sets Forum apart is the hands-on support. The firm provides more than capital - they act as an extension of the founding team. 2
Support Includes:
- Customer discovery and product-market fit validation
- Fundraising guidance (they have helped 450+ founders raise from funds like A16z, Bessemer)
- Go-to-market strategy
- Access to their 1,300+ founder community
- Customer introductions
- Daily operational and strategic support via their Slack community
Founder Community: One of the largest B2B founder communities with over 1,300 founders who support each other. Forum founders describe the community as essential for weathering the emotional founder journey. 3
Notable Portfolio
Forum has funded 430+ companies. Notable outcomes include companies that have gone on to raise from top-tier funds including Andreessen Horowitz, Bessemer Venture Partners, and Backstage Capital. 1
How to Connect
Application Process: Forum accepts applications through their website. They have a dedicated pitch page and host regular events. The firm is known for being accessible and responsive to founders. 1
What They Look For:
- B2B software startups (not consumer)
- AI and AI-native companies
- First-time founders welcome
- Teams open to heavy operator involvement
Who to Reach Out To:
- Check the team page for current partners
- The firm is active on Twitter (@forumventures) and LinkedIn
Events: Forum hosts regular events for founders including workshops, pitch sessions, and community gatherings. Check their events page for upcoming opportunities. 1
Pro Tip: Forum is particularly founder-friendly and known for being there for the highs and lows. If you are a first-time founder or want heavy operational support, Forum is an excellent choice. They explicitly want to be your first call when things go wrong. 2