[Forge origination]

Who We Are

[our purpose]

Meet the Team

Forge is built on a simple belief: meaningful relationships drive meaningful deals.
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We specialize in connecting exceptional business owners and businesses with best-in-class investors and investment firms—forging legacies that endure.

Our experiences—both as entrepreneurs and as investors—give us the perspective to understand and serve business owners and investors alike.

We are a small team that consistently punches above our weight, and the results speak for themselves. At Forge, we win unapologetically by creating great outcomes for every founder, owner, and investor we partner with.

Founder

Tanner Caldwell

Founder of Forge, Tanner Caldwell brings a unique combination of deal experience and people-first leadership. He focuses on guiding business owners and investors through complex transactions—always with an emphasis on building trust and creating lasting outcomes. Outside of Forge, he enjoys spending time near the ocean, mountains, and attempting endurance events.

Vice president

Cullen Little

Cullen began his career at K1 Investment Management after graduating from UVA’s McIntire School of Commerce. Originally from Baltimore, he focuses on private equity origination and investor relations. A former competitive squash player, he now enjoys listening to music with friends and family.

M&A Advisor & Head of Operations

Matt Hickerson

Matt has worked across venture capital and family office investing, bringing operational expertise to Forge. Raised in Colorado, he is an avid mountain biker and snowboarder. He holds deep experience in macroeconomics, mining and industrials, and leading Forge’s research team.

M&A Advisor

Christopher Baldini

CJ began his career at Forge after graduating from the University of Virginia with degrees in Economics and Political Science. Originally from Connecticut, he focuses on private equity origination and supports both investor and business-owner relationships. A former member of the U.S. National Squash Team, he now enjoys surfing and traveling.

M&A Advisor

Will Bradley

Will brings experience across investment banking and private equity, contributing deep deal-sourcing expertise to Forge. Raised in Michigan, he is a former competitive snowboard racer and motorsports enthusiast, and helps lead Forge’s sourcing engine.

M&A Advisor

Aleks Kurdiani

Aleksandre has worked in the tech sector in San Francisco and brings a strong process and systems background to Forge. He focuses on strengthening internal operations and optimizing research processes to help the team move faster and execute with greater consistency.

M&A Advisor

Ben Clark

Ben has worked across sales and business development, bringing a relationship-driven approach to Forge. He has experience in real estate and supports sourcing and owner outreach across targeted industries. He is also an automotive enthusiast with a deep appreciation for Los Angeles’ food culture.

[Future roles]

We’re Hiring

At Forge, we are always looking for top-performing and motivated individuals. Interested? Shoot us an email with your information.

Operations

M&A Advisor

Automation Experts

Research Analyst

Select Network of Investors

[start with Forge]

Want to be the next?

With Forge, you can trust that the legacy you’ve built will be respected and the right partner will be there to grow and carry it forward.

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