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Key people at Acceleprise.
Acceleprise, which rebranded to Forum Ventures in 2021, is a San Francisco-based early-stage venture capital firm and startup accelerator focused exclusively on B2B software-as-a-service and enterprise technology companies. The firm operates a four-month accelerator program that provides go-to-market mentorship and initial capital, typically investing between $50,000 and $100,000 per startup in exchange for equity. Prior to its rebranding, the organization closed a $17 million third fund and has invested in more than 250 portfolio companies across the pre-seed and seed stages. Acceleprise has backed notable enterprise software startups including Apollo.io and Fictiv, while its portfolio companies have secured follow-on funding from major venture firms like NEA and Salesforce Ventures. The accelerator was originally founded in 2012 by Sean Glass, Allen Miner, and Collin Gutman, before being relaunched in San Francisco by Michael Cardamone in 2014.
Key people at Acceleprise.
Acceleprise was an early-stage venture capital firm and accelerator specializing in B2B SaaS startups, providing capital, mentorship, and operational support to help founders scale from inception to growth.[1][2][3][4] Its mission centered on investing in bold, ambitious SaaS founders through a hands-on four-month program, a network of operators, and funds targeting pre-seed and seed stages, with a focus on North America and Europe.[1][3][4] Key sectors included B2B SaaS, AI, IoT, and blockchain, significantly impacting the startup ecosystem by accelerating over 100 companies that raised more than $500M collectively, including from top VCs like NEA and Salesforce Ventures.[3][4] In June 2021, Acceleprise rebranded to Forum Ventures, raised $30M in new capital, and expanded into larger seed and pre-seed funds while maintaining its SaaS community focus.[1]
Founded in Washington, DC, as one of the first SaaS-focused accelerators in the United States, Acceleprise expanded to San Francisco in 2014 to build the next generation of B2B SaaS companies.[4] Michael Cardamone served as CEO and managing partner, leading the firm's evolution from accelerators to a broader VC model with three accelerator programs by 2021.[1] The firm grew its staff, added funds, and emphasized global founder support, culminating in the 2021 rebrand to Forum Ventures to reflect its expanded SaaS community and investment scope beyond just accelerator graduates.[1][3]
Acceleprise rode the explosive growth of B2B SaaS in the 2010s and early 2020s, capitalizing on rising demand for cloud software amid digital transformation and remote work trends.[1][2] Its timing was ideal as startup costs escalated post-2020, justifying larger funds and a shift to direct VC investments alongside acceleration.[1] Market forces like increased VC competition for early-stage deals favored its model, enabling defense of ownership in high-potential companies and community-driven sourcing.[1][3] The firm influenced the ecosystem by democratizing SaaS access for global founders, boosting follow-on funding, and pioneering operator-backed acceleration that shaped modern pre-seed strategies.[4]
Post-rebrand as Forum Ventures, Acceleprise's legacy endures through sustained focus on early B2B SaaS, with potential for expanded AUM via AI and blockchain integrations amid maturing markets.[1][3] Trends like AI-driven SaaS efficiency and global expansion will shape its path, evolving influence toward deeper operational scaling for portfolio firms. This positions it to capture ongoing inefficiencies in a post-hype VC cycle, building on its accelerator roots to sustain ecosystem impact.[3]
