Forward Networks, Inc.

Forward Networks, Inc. is an American enterprise software company headquartered in Santa Clara, California. Founded in 2013 by a team of Stanford Ph.D. researchers, the company specializes in network management and software-defined networking. Its core mission is to transform how organizations manage and secure their networks, aiming to reduce business risk and improve operational efficiency through advanced network assurance and verification.

The company's flagship product, Forward Enterprise, is a network assurance platform that leverages digital twin technology to create a mathematically accurate model of an organization's network. This platform provides comprehensive network visibility, policy verification, change modeling, full path analysis, and security posture management. Forward Networks serves a diverse clientele, including Fortune 100 financial institutions, telecommunication companies, IT service providers, and government agencies, operating across multi-vendor and hybrid multi-cloud environments.

In recent news, Forward Networks introduced Forward AI in January 2026, a new capability designed to accelerate network operations by enabling AI agents to act on trusted data from the digital twin. The company also expanded its operations to Japan in February 2026, reflecting growing international demand for its technology. Forward Networks has been recognized as an Outperformer in the GigaOm Radar for Network Validation for four consecutive years, most recently in December 2025. Co-founder David Erickson serves as CEO, with co-founder Nikhil Handigol recently appointed Chief AI Officer. The company has raised significant funding, including a $50 million Series D round in January 2023, contributing to a total funding of approximately $118.57 million to $140 million.