Forgepoint, a New York startup building AI software for factory sales desks, has secured US$9.8 million in a Seed funding round. Co-led by Primary Venture Partners and a16z speedrun, the investment will advance its AI sales representative, Frank. The company aims to close the efficiency gap between the automated factory floor and the manual administrative office.
Streamlining Manufacturing Sales
Many manufacturers face a significant bottleneck in their quoting process, where administrative tasks slow responses to customer inquiries. This manual workflow often stretches the time-to-quote from hours to several days, resulting in lost business. In a competitive market, such delays can be a critical disadvantage for industrial companies.
To address this, Forgepoint developed Frank, an AI-powered inside sales representative that works alongside existing teams. Frank automates quoting by reading requests, analyzing part files, and flagging missing specifications for the buyer. It then applies a shop’s unique pricing rules to draft a detailed quote for final human approval.
The impact of this automation is already evident, with customers reporting an average 30% increase in monthly quote throughput. The platform has also reduced quoting time by more than 55%, freeing up skilled employees for higher-value tasks. This efficiency gain helped Forgepoint reach seven-figure annual recurring revenue within six months of its launch.
Founder-Led Vision and Strategic Investment
The US$9.8 million in capital will be used to expand Frank’s capabilities and deepen its integrations with existing manufacturing systems. The round also saw participation from angel investors affiliated with OpenAI, Brex, Vercel, and SoFi. This funding underscores investor confidence in Forgepoint's approach to a long-standing industrial problem.
The company is led by co-founders Jack Strauss and Alex Pareto, who bring blended industrial and tech expertise from firms like Northrop Grumman and Brex. Their strategy was born from hands-on research in 2025, when they toured manufacturing plants to understand operational bottlenecks firsthand. This deep dive informed their conviction that AI could solve these administrative challenges.
Positioning in the Industrial AI Market
Forgepoint enters a growing market of startups applying AI to industrial workflows, though each tends to focus on a distinct niche. While competitors focus on areas like machine programming, Forgepoint’s concentration on the sales and quoting process sets it apart. This targeted approach addresses a direct link to a manufacturer's revenue generation.
A key aspect of Frank is its adaptability to the diverse needs of different manufacturing operations. The AI can be configured to match material lists at a metal service center or review complex part files at a foundry. This flexibility allows it to serve a wide range of sectors, including injection molding, fabrication, and machining.
"A manufacturer's ability to grow depends on how much work its team can quote, plan, and manage," said Zach Fredericks, a Principal at Primary Venture Partners. "Forgepoint is giving those teams more capacity, starting with quoting." The firm backed the founders for their clear ambition to bring the same approach across the entire manufacturing back office.
With its new funding, Forgepoint is positioned to accelerate its mission of equipping manufacturers with advanced AI tools. By starting with the critical quoting process, the company helps its customers win more business and operate more efficiently. The long-term vision is to extend this automation across other back-office functions, driving new productivity in American industry.