Summary of Forge Global Holdings (FRGE) FY Conference Call - August 11, 2025 Company Overview - **Company**: Forge Global Holdings (FRGE) - **Industry**: Private market trading and information services - **Core Services**: Marketplace for private companies, providing trading, data, custody, and related services to investors, companies, and shareholders [1][2] Key Points and Arguments Company Evolution and Value Proposition - Forge is transitioning from a transaction-focused platform to foundational infrastructure for private markets, with a newly launched next-generation platform [5][6] - The platform integrates with various participants, including high net worth individuals, institutions, and family offices, aiming for global reach [5][6] - Strategic partnerships with Yahoo, ICE, and Fortune enhance transparency and access to private market data [6][7] Market Performance and Outlook - Forge's trading volume increased by 110% year-over-year in the first half of the year, reflecting a recovery in the IPO market [10][11] - The company remains cautiously optimistic about a full-scale market recovery, driven by high-performing sectors like AI and fintech [11][12][13] Fund Launch and Product Development - Forge plans to launch its first registered fund, the Acquidity Megacorn Fund, aimed at non-accredited investors, enhancing access to private market investments [7][14][15] - The Megacorn Fund will feature a diversified index of top private companies, with future plans for additional rules-based products targeting various sectors [15][16][17] Competitive Landscape - The current market for private market index funds is limited, with Forge positioned uniquely against incumbents like ARC and traditional private equity firms [19][20] - Forge is exploring partnerships with major asset managers to enhance distribution of its products [21] Data Strategy and Revenue Generation - Forge views data as a strategic driver for success, with a phased approach to adoption and monetization [22][23] - The company anticipates material revenue from data as it moves into a revenue-sharing model with partners [24][25] Partnerships and Collaborations - A new partnership with Silicon Valley Bank focuses on providing secondary liquidity solutions, enhancing Forge's competitive advantage [29][30] - The partnership is exclusive and aims to integrate Forge's services within the bank's offerings [31][32] Regulatory Environment - Recent regulatory changes, including expanded definitions of accredited investors and allowing 401(k) investments in private markets, present opportunities for Forge [39][40][41] - Forge has been actively engaging with legislators to support policies that enhance access to private market investments [44][45] Financial Performance and Future Goals - Forge aims to achieve positive adjusted EBITDA by 2026, driven by operational scalability and efficiency gains from the new marketplace [49][51] - The company is confident in reaching breakeven, supported by strong volume growth and strategic investments [51][52] International Expansion - Forge is looking to expand its operations internationally, with a focus on Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, aiming for breakeven in its European operations by the end of 2025 [56][57] Investor Perception - The company emphasizes its technology-driven approach and recurring revenue model, which should influence investor perceptions and valuation multiples [58][59] Additional Important Insights - The market for tokenization of securities is evolving, with Forge positioned to partner with credible platforms for tokenization [35][36][37] - Forge's technology-first approach is expected to change how investors view the company and its scalability potential [58][59]