Forerunner Ventures
In short: Forerunner Ventures is a San Francisco venture firm founded in 2012 by Kirsten Green, focused on early-stage consumer businesses. In dating, DII reports it led voice AI dating app Known's funding round and joined the seed round for Rodeo, a friend-planning app from former Hinge executives.
Key facts
| Type | Investor |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | San Francisco, United States |
| Founded | 2012 |
| Founded | Forerunner Ventures was founded in 2012 by Kirsten Green and is headquartered in San Francisco [Wikipedia, 2012] |
| Fact | Forerunner invests in early-stage consumer companies and had nearly $3 billion in assets under management as of 2025 [Wikipedia, 2025] |
| Funding | Forerunner led Known's $9.7 million funding round, reported as its first dating investment, with NFX, Pear VC and Coelius Capital [Dating Industry Insights, December 2025] |
| Funding | Forerunner took part in Rodeo's $8.5 million seed round, led by Coefficient Capital [Dating Industry Insights, March 2026] |
About Forerunner Ventures
Forerunner Ventures is an early-stage venture capital firm headquartered in San Francisco. Wikipedia says it was founded in 2012 by Kirsten Green and invests in consumer businesses across health and wellness, retail and e-commerce, consumer finance, education and social networking. Its notable investments include Chime, Faire, Oura Health, Hims & Hers, Glossier, Dollar Shave Club and Warby Parker. Wikipedia reports assets under management of nearly $3 billion as of 2025.
DII reports that Forerunner led a $9.7 million round for Known, a voice AI dating app from San Francisco that charges per date, with NFX, Pear VC and Coelius Capital also taking part. DII described this as Forerunner's first dating investment, a description that has not been confirmed by the firm. A second DII story puts Known's total at $10 million. The round was reported in December 2025.
Forerunner also took part in the $8.5 million seed round for Rodeo in March 2026. The round was led by Coefficient Capital, with former Match Group executives also investing. Rodeo was founded by former Hinge executives Michelle Lai and Michael Laing.
Dating industry investments
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Questions about Forerunner Ventures
Who founded Forerunner Ventures?
Kirsten Green founded the firm in 2012, according to Wikipedia.
Which dating companies has Forerunner backed?
According to DII, Known, which it led, and Rodeo, a friend-planning app from former Hinge executives.
What does Forerunner Ventures do?
Forerunner Ventures is a San Francisco venture firm founded in 2012 by Kirsten Green, focused on early-stage consumer businesses. In dating, DII reports it led voice AI dating app Known's funding round and joined the seed round for Rodeo, a friend-planning app from former Hinge executives.
Where is Forerunner Ventures based?
Forerunner Ventures is based in San Francisco, United States.
When was Forerunner Ventures founded?
Forerunner Ventures was founded in 2012.
Also known as: Forerunner.