Forge Global operates a private securities marketplace that connects investors and shareholders to provide liquidity solutions and secondary trading for private companies. Since inception the firm has completed more than $9B in transactions across nearly 400 private companies and reported three consecutive record-breaking quarters, including Q1 2021 when it completed 1,400 transactions totaling more than $730M of volume. After merging with SharesPost in 2020, Forge received FINRA approval to operate as a single broker dealer with SharesPost, strengthening its transactional capabilities. In February 2021 the company launched Forge Company Solutions, a suite for company-sponsored liquidity programs including executive liquidity, employee liquidity, tender offers and direct listings. Forge says it will use new funding to expand service offerings in the U.S. and beyond and to continue developing products and services for the private market. Founded in 2014, Forge is backed by a mix of Silicon Valley investors and global institutions including Deutsche Börse, Temasek, Wells Fargo, BNP Paribas and others. Forge Global is a trading, settlement and custody marketplace for pre-IPO securities that enables employees and investors in private companies to liquidate portions of their shares and gives investors access to late-stage private firms. Founded in 2014 as Equidate, Forge's platform lists companies such as Spotify, Lyft, and 23andMe and is backed by investors including Tim Draper, Peter Thiel, FT Partners and Munich Re. Since inception the company has completed nearly $2 billion in transaction volume. Forge is collaborating with BNP Paribas to develop and distribute a structured equity product linked to a diversified basket of private shares, leveraging Forge's technology, data, and relationships across unicorn firms. The partnership includes an equity investment from BNP Paribas and an observer seat on Forge's board for Angel Rodriguez-Issa. Forge says the initiative will launch a $1 billion series of investment products to provide institutional and high-net-worth clients exposure to pre-IPO companies. Forge Global operates a marketplace for pre-IPO securities, allowing shareholders and investors in privately held innovation firms to liquidate portions of their shares. The platform provides access to top private companies such as Spotify, Lyft and 23andMe prior to their IPOs. Led by CEO Kelly Rodriques and established in 2014, the company has facilitated over $1 billion in transaction volume across US and international companies. Forge has launched the Forge Tech30 Capped Index and the EQUIAM Private Tech30 Fund to provide diversified exposure to large private tech companies. The company says it will expand the range of services offered to companies, investors and strategic partners to broaden access to the private markets. Equidate operates an online secondary marketplace that makes privately held company shares available to accredited and institutional buyers, typically requiring $20,000–$50,000 minimum investments. The platform charges roughly a 5% commission on each transaction and employs 26 people. Equidate has played a material role in pre-IPO liquidity, handling about 40% of Spotify’s secondary trades ahead of its direct listing. The company says it is on track to transact $1 billion worth of shares this year. It has engaged with a number of high-profile private companies, including Didi, Meituan Dianping, Tencent’s music service and Xiaomi. As companies stay private longer, Equidate is positioned to support interval liquidity programs and broader secondary-market demand. Equidate operates a web-based marketplace for pre-IPO company shares that connects accredited investors with opportunities to invest in fast-growing private companies. The platform also provides a channel for employees of startups to liquidate equity. Access to the marketplace is restricted to accredited investors with a net worth over $1 million or annual income above $200,000. The company is led by CEO Sohail Prasad and recently appointed Head of Strategic Operations John‑Paul Teutonico. Teutonico previously served as Chief Administrative Officer at SecondMarket. Equidate raised a seed funding round of undisclosed amount backed by several angel and institutional backers.

Total raised

$235M

Funding rounds

5

Latest round

Equity

Latest activity

May 2021