Monday 05 July 2021 7:38 am | Updated: Monday 05 July 2021 7:39 am

Forward Partners announces intention to float in London

Tech-focused venture capital firm Forward Partners will list on London's AIM market later this month with a market capitalisation of £134.6m. — The company expects to raise £36.5m from the share sale (SOURCE: Forward Partners)

Forward Partners, the London-based venture capital firm, announced on Monday morning that it intends to list in London.

The firm said it will seek admission of its shares to trade on AIM, the London Stock Exchange’s junior market.

The company expects to raise at least £25m from the share sale. The funds raised will be used for further investments in its existing portfolio of companies and new investments.

Nic Brisbourne, founder and chief executive officer of Forward Partners, says: “Our big differentiator has always been that we offer start-ups more than money. The combination of capital alongside specialist support for our start-ups has helped us to improve the odds of success for more pioneering founders.”

The listing will allow the firm “to invest more, for longer – and to build new products and services founders really need. For founders, it means more routes to growth – more choice, more control and more support” Brisbourne said.

Forward Partners was founded in 2013, specialising in supporting high growth, early-stage technology businesses. Its portfolio consists of 46 technology companies, and its investments have posted strong performances in the eight years since it was founded, recording a 25 per cent rate of return.

Trading in the company’s shares is expected to start in mid-July. Liberum Capital is advising on the offering, which will also be open to retail investors.

The group brings together venture capital provider Forward Ventures, equity-free revenue-based financing through Forward Advances and highly specialised growth support from Forward Studio.