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§ Venture Capital · Amsterdam, Netherlands
Venture capital firm investing in early-stage hardware innovations for founders, focused on semiconductors and climate tech.
FORWARD.one is a venture capital firm based in Amstelveen, Netherlands, that invests in early-stage hardware innovations with a specific focus on semiconductors, climate technology, and related deep tech sectors. Rather than acting as passive financial backers, the firm operates by taking an active role in co-engineering market strategies alongside portfolio founders to scale complex physical technologies into high-performing global businesses. The organization currently manages two closed investment vehicles, which finalized their capital raises in May 2019 and December 2022, and subsequently opened a third fund to the market in January 2025. The firm's leadership team includes key partners such as Frederik Gerner, Bianca van Dulmen, Boy de Jonge, and Coen Bos, drawing on prior industrial experience from companies like Ampelmann. FORWARD.one was officially founded in 2017 by Arjan Göbel and his initial partners.
Key people at FORWARD.one.
FORWARD.one is a European venture capital firm dedicated to fueling the next generation of hardware-driven innovation. Founded with a mission to back entrepreneurs who are tackling complex, real-world challenges through advanced technologies, FORWARD.one positions itself as a hands-on partner for startups aiming to scale globally. The firm’s investment philosophy centers on identifying smart, defensible innovations in large markets, with a particular emphasis on exceptional founding teams that are laser-focused on growth. Its core sectors include semiconductors, climate tech, robotics, quantum computing, advanced manufacturing, and deep tech—fields that are reshaping the future of industry and sustainability.
By providing not just capital but also strategic guidance, operational support, and access to a broad network, FORWARD.one has become a key catalyst in the European startup ecosystem. Its portfolio companies benefit from pragmatic, entrepreneur-led mentorship and a collaborative approach that accelerates execution and market impact.
Established in 2017 and headquartered in Amstelveen, Netherlands, FORWARD.one was founded by a team of financial professionals and technology entrepreneurs who recognized a gap in early-stage funding for hardware and deep tech ventures. The firm’s evolution has been marked by a consistent focus on sectors where technological breakthroughs can drive meaningful change—such as energy, manufacturing, and health tech. Over the years, FORWARD.one has grown its team to include venture partners and investment managers with deep expertise in both finance and engineering, enabling it to support founders at every stage of their journey. The firm’s early bets on emerging technologies have helped it build a reputation as a go-to investor for ambitious hardware startups across Northern and Western Europe.
FORWARD.one is riding the wave of a hardware renaissance, where advancements in semiconductors, robotics, and climate technologies are converging to solve some of the world’s most pressing challenges. The firm’s timing is critical: as governments and industries prioritize sustainability, digital transformation, and supply chain resilience, hardware innovation is gaining renewed attention. FORWARD.one’s focus on deep tech and advanced manufacturing aligns with global trends toward decarbonization, automation, and technological sovereignty. By nurturing startups at the intersection of science and engineering, the firm is helping to shape a more resilient, innovative, and sustainable European tech ecosystem.
Looking ahead, FORWARD.one is well-positioned to continue leading the charge in European hardware and deep tech investing. As breakthroughs in quantum computing, photonics, and biomanufacturing accelerate, the firm’s expertise and network will be increasingly valuable to founders navigating complex technical and commercial landscapes. The growing demand for sustainable technologies and the push for European technological independence will likely amplify FORWARD.one’s influence. In the years to come, the firm’s ability to spot and scale transformative hardware ventures could cement its legacy as a cornerstone of Europe’s innovation economy—proving once again that the most impactful startups are built not just with code, but with hardware, ambition, and vision.
Key people at FORWARD.one.
FORWARD.one has more than 26 tracked investments across 16 companies. The latest tracked deal is $4.2M Seed in Driveblocks in February 2026.
