Investor profile
Foreword Fund
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Foreword Fund is an early-stage micro-fund investing in and supporting mission-driven founders throughout their initial chapters. Led by solo GP Declan Kelly, the fund backs daring founders at the pre-seed and seed stages — often as the first check in — seeking out exceptionally focused teams with large ambitions. Foreword invests globally, with a particular emphasis on Europe and the US, across B2B software, fintech, crypto, enterprise software, AI, marketplaces, and consumer sectors. The fund partners with approximately 10 companies annually, investing up to $250k, and is backed by a community of 80+ LPs and 200+ founders, operators, and investors from companies like GitHub, Pipedrive, Sorare, TravelPerk, and Zalando. This community acts as an extension of the fund, providing portfolio companies with mentorship, hiring support, customer introductions, and strategic guidance. As Kelly describes it, the goal is to "back daring founders in their first chapters with first-check capital and access to a community of 200+ world-class founders and operators."
Notable quotes
“As emerging managers don't typically have the same resources available to them as established funds, it's helpful to find your tribe of peers early. These can be other investors, founders, angels – basically people with a similar focus, who you can comfortably collaborate and share your pipeline with, and vice versa. Having a trustworthy peer group helps maximize exposure and increase your deal coverage.”
“Foreword Fund is an early-stage venture capital firm seeking out exceptionally focused teams with large ambitions. We partner with ~10 companies annually, investing up to $250k at the pre-seed or seed stage. We're often the first check in and love helping founders shape their rounds. Foreword invests globally, supporting exceptional talent wherever it's found.”
“Back daring founders in their first chapters with first-check capital and access to a community of 200+ world-class founders and operators who can provide mentorship, introductions, and strategic guidance.”
Recent investments
Frequent co-investors
| VC firm | Deals together |
|---|---|
| 20VC | 3 |
| Seedcamp | 2 |
| Notion Capital | 2 |
| DST Global | 1 |
| Lakestar | 1 |
| Picus Capital | 1 |
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