Forge to Establish a Private Marketplace in Europe with Deutsche Börse

Forge Global Holdings, Inc., a leading private securities marketplace, announced its international expansion together with its strategic partner Deutsche Börse.

Leveraging the technology, track record and expertise of Forge, and market and regulatory know-how as well as the network of Deutsche Börse, Forge Europe will establish a digital marketplace for European companies and investors that provides access to Forge's US liquidity network.

Forge Europe will provide liquidity programs for companies, a marketplace that brings together buyers and sellers of private growth company shares and exclusive private market data that enable investors to make informed investment decisions.

"With our innovative technology platform, credible experience and private market expertise – and with a strategic partner in Deutsche Börse that understands local market requirements and how to run scaled and regulated market infrastructure—we believe Forge Europe can deliver to European participants the benefits of a liquid, transparent and efficient global private market,"said Kelly Rodriques, CEO of Forge.

"Investing in private markets has grown significantly in Europe over the last decade, with record investments in growth companies last year. Forge impresses with its renowned private market expertise. Deutsche Börse stands out for its ability to operate a scalable and reliable market infrastructure and has established an extensive capital markets ecosystem. Together, we will be a first mover in Europe to build up a trusted, efficient and technology-driven global private market platform. This is how we will address the liquidity needs of growth companies and venture investors,"said Eric Leupold, Managing Director of Deutsche Börse's Cash Market business."For us at Deutsche Börse, this is a promising opportunity to expand into a new asset class with high potential."

Forge Europe is targeting its launch in mid-2023, first in Germany, the UK and France, before expanding to the rest of Europe, subject to the requisite regulatory approvals.