Forté Ventures

Overview

Forté Ventures is a multi-stage venture capital firm based in Atlanta that collaborates and co-invests with corporate strategic partners in technology companies across North America. It focuses on sectors including information technology, mobility, digital media, internet & eCommerce, financial technology, and industrial technology. Investments typically range from $500,000 to $3 million and involve participation from corporate and strategic co-investors.

History

Forté Ventures was founded in 2012 by Tom Hawkins, who serves as CEO and Managing Partner. The firm raised its first fund around 2014 and Fund II by 2019, with investments in companies such as Ushr, Integrate, Urgent.ly, Springbot, RapidSOS, AdStage, and StellaService. It maintains a presence in Silicon Valley, Chicago, and New York alongside its Atlanta headquarters. As of 2025, it had one fund in market.

Notable Products

• Fund I - Early fund investing in auto tech (Ushr), marketing (Integrate), roadside assistance (Urgent.ly), eCommerce (Springbot), and data management (Liaison Technologies).
• Fund II - Later fund with investments in emergency response (RapidSOS), advertising tech (AdStage), and customer service (StellaService).
• Corporate Co-Investments - Syndicate deals alongside corporate venture capital groups in diversified tech sectors.

Reputation

Forté Ventures is recognized among venture professionals for its niche focus on partnering with corporate venture arms, facilitating strategic investments for startups. It has built a track record through portfolio exits and ongoing funds, though its scale remains modest compared to larger VC firms. Limited public commentary exists, with perception tied to its specialized co-investment model.