The venture studio model has become increasingly popular among aspiring founders. They can provide a more holistic approach to helping entrepreneurs build and launch their businesses by providing entrepreneurs with a range of services, from idea validation to product design and development. They can also provide invaluable mentorship, guidance, and resources to help entrepreneurs take their ideas and turn them into successful businesses.
Forum launched our venture studio in 2022 to support founders even earlier in their journey while having fractional ownership in the latest technology transforming how we live, work, and interact. We’re dedicated to helping entrepreneurs transform their ideas into successful businesses. We act as fractional co-founders, providing entrepreneurs with the resources needed to launch and scale their businesses.
While a studio and an accelerator are both designed to help early-stage founders, there are still a number of differences between the two.
Our accelerator program is designed to help startups grow quickly, often over a short period of time, by providing access to resources such as mentorship, funding, and workspace. Forum’s accelerator is an 8-week program to help founders with product fit, GTM, and fundraising.
A venture studio, on the other hand, gets involved a step earlier to help entrepreneurs ideate, validate, launch, and scale multiple startups in a co-creative process. While accelerators focus on growing existing startups, venture studios focus on creating successful new ventures from the ground up.
It provides:
The above resources enable founders to scale their businesses more quickly and efficiently than if they were working alone. Startups must fail fast and iterate quickly, and Forum’s studio team enables you to pivot quickly to create a successful venture-scalable product.
According to venture capital firm High Alpha, “startups established by studios have an average IRR of 53%, compared to 21% for non-studio startups.”
When you come to us with an idea, we use a rigorous assumption-testing process to systematically convert your idea into a revenue-generating business.
Ideate & Validate (4 weeks)
Our team works with founders to rapidly validate ideas and build pilots. We talk to customers, test potential solutions, and collect feedback. We seek enough validation until we get to a pilot.
Build & Sell (3 months)
After a successful pilot, we put in $250K and build. We build the MVP, expand the team, and develop a sales, marketing, and GTM strategy to hit a target ARR. With the full package, we enter Investor Week to raise your next round.
Advise (ongoing)
As you grow, we stay on as board members and observers. You have unlimited access to our communities and enjoy the strength of customer intros, GTM expertise, and funding network to drive growth.
“The 100k is nice… but the real value comes from having the MDs on your team. Their perspective, energy, and introductions as you grow are worth the investment. Especially for first-time founders who need someone to walk the journey with.” — Kory Kelly, CEO at Legal Karma
Joining our studio means having a powerful operating team from day one. As former SaaS founders and operators, we will build and validate your company quickly, by your side.
Go from concept to launch in record time with the support of Forum’s Studio. Forum’s Venture Studio provides capital, resources, and the necessary expertise for B2B SaaS founders to help launch and develop an idea into a successful business. Since 2014, we’ve worked with SaaS founders everywhere, launching more than 50 SaaS companies in Canada and the US with over 300 companies in our portfolio.
Forum’s Venture Studio provides a supportive environment for entrepreneurs to brainstorm and collaborate with other entrepreneurs and experienced VCs. For those who don’t identify as a founder or who have traditionally been overlooked by VCs (i.e. BIPOC founders, founders without a prestigious school background), Forum’s Venture Studio provides the perfect launching pad for their business ideas. It offers funding, mentorship, and guidance so that they can start and grow their businesses on an even playing field.
“At Forum, we believe that anyone can become a successful entrepreneur with the right resources and guidance. Our Venture Studio is designed to provide aspiring founders with the resources and knowledge necessary to make the leap from idea to success.” — Partner at Forum Ventures
From day one, you’ll have full access to business services and resources to build your company.
“Forum Ventures was amazing to work with hands-on operators, mentors and ex-operators. In a short while, we took our product that customers were excited about to messaging that customers loved. We formalized go-to-market plans, and improved our targeted pitch. My MD and I were like cofounders brainstorming about GTM approaches, texting each other and figuring out our Product Market fit and GTM strategy.” Vijay Viswanathan, Cofounder and CEO
At Forum’s Venture Studio, we believe in creating an environment where passionate entrepreneurs can thrive and succeed. Our network can provide invaluable insight and advice regarding the business, as well as potential industry contacts. We are dedicated to helping our members develop their skills and navigate the challenges of entrepreneurship. With our support, you can make your dream a reality!
Let’s build the next SaaS Startup together!