We are pleased to announce that the Boards of Molten Ventures and Forward Partners have agreed on the terms of a recommended all-share acquisition of Forward Partners by Molten Ventures, subject to regulatory approvals.
The proposed acquisition will bring 43 new early stage, disruptive technology companies into the Molten portfolio, and expand the resources, expertise, and networks available to Molten in support of some of Europe’s most innovative firms.
Simultaneously, Molten Ventures also announces its intention to raise c. £50m via an accelerated book build by way of issuance of new shares on the London Stock Exchange and the Euronext Dublin, supported by Blackrock and the British Business Bank along with other existing shareholders. Because the democratisation of venture capital is a key part of Molten’s ethos, we are proud to include an allocation to retail investors via PrimaryBid.
Commenting on the Acquisition, Martin Davis, CEO of Molten said:
"We are pleased to be announcing the proposed acquisition of Forward Partners, with the unanimous recommendation of the Forward Partners Board. Forward Partners has a balanced and well-capitalised portfolio of 43 high-quality companies and, through combining our considerable resources, experience and networks, we will be even better placed both to support our existing portfolio companies and to capture attractive investment opportunities amid a buyer's market for venture capital.
“The deal would provide Molten with a broader and more diverse pipeline through access to Forward Partners' early-stage deal flow opportunities in fast growing sub-sectors like applied AI and digital marketplaces, and also acts as something of a homecoming for Forward Partners' senior investment team, who are well known to us, and will bring expertise and an investment philosophy which chimes with our own in support of Europe's most ambitious founders."
Commenting on the Fundraising, Martin Davis, CEO at Molten said:
"The proceeds of this Fundraise will allow us to capitalise on attractive primary and secondary investment opportunities as the valuation environment stabilises and continue to back Europe’s most ambitious founders.
"Historically, of all vintages, investments made in a downturn have yielded the greatest returns for technology investors, and this Fundraise reflects both the scale of our ambition to support innovation and our desire to offer investors exposure to fast-growing privately owned technology assets”.
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We will update further as news develops.