The FORB team leads its portfolio companies along a reliable and proven step-by-step path to market and exit
The only companies that reach a successful exit are those that make it through all of the following 11 steps
Step #1
Due diligence
Each idea is carefully scrutinised with due diligence by experts in the industry or market segment before we will commit since great ideas alone do not necessarily make for a good business. If a concept passes all our preliminary checks we then look to build a great team.
Step # 2
Building a team
We build a team of world-class” operating executives and board members. We look to attract seasoned experts in the relevant fields who believe enough in the potential to join the team on an entrepreneurial equity based basis. If we are successful in attracting the team, we build the financial and business models and design the proof of concept.
Step #3
Build business & financial models
In a highly iterative manner, we construct business and financial models that take into account all facets of the business. Our conservative financial models are built to reveal the critical levers for success. We test every assumption. If we are satisfied with the modelling we will need enough capital to launch a proof of concept.
Step #4
Seed capital
Once the vision for the business and the modelling are finalised FORB invests seed capital to run a proof of concept.
Step #5
Proof of concept
If the proof of concept program meets a clear set of objectives and reaches a number of pre-defined milestones we launch.
Step #6
Launch
The goal is to demonstrate the business has the very real potential to achieve or exceed the financial and other objectives developed in the financial and business plans and proof of concept stages. Once it has proven it can in fact scale on the trajectory envisioned, we seek the first outside capital.
Step #7
Series A
The Series A is always the most challenging round because typically the company is still small and we always seek blue-chip strategic and financial investors who bring added value beyond their capital. But a successful proof of concept and launch driven by a high quality team generally attracts quality investors thereby enabling the company to truly begin to scale the business rapidly.
Step #8
Refine & scale rapidly
Disruptive products that deliver on the company’s promises, big market, super star management executing a great plan and enough capital enable the company to scale rapidly generally requiring follow on rounds of capital.
Step #9
Follow on capital rounds
As the business grows, we typically do multiple rounds that can be relatively close together as valuations of the business can change on a month to month basis when operating in a hockey stick environment. This is especially true if there are roll up as well as rapid organic growth opportunities.
Step #10
Acquisitions as an added accelerator
FORB is typically always interested in ideas where there are opportunities for multiple acquisitions and roll ups to turbo charge and compliment hockey stick organic growth.
Step #11
Successful Exit
We build our companies to sell them. Because every company is different the best time for exit is assessed with our investors and typically an investment banker. The aim is always simply to exit when we can deliver outsized returns to our investors and employees. The answer as to when is simply “we’ll know it when we get there".