Building Stronger, Safer Communities: Forerunner’s $39M in Funding

Twenty years ago, most government operations still ran on paper forms, filing cabinets, and siloed software. Permitting was a manual process. Disaster reporting required weeks of back-and-forth. Data lived in dozens of systems that rarely spoke to each other.

Fast-forward to today. Residents expect instant service from their local governments. Federal requirements demand more rigorous reporting. Hazards - from flooding to wildfires to infrastructure failures - are accelerating. Yet the underlying systems many agencies rely on haven’t kept pace.

Governments are being asked to do more with less, and the cracks are showing.

That’s why we started Forerunner.

A Modern Operating System for Local Government

At Forerunner, our belief is simple: local governments deserve modern infrastructure as much as the communities they serve.

Instead of forcing agencies to juggle a dozen point solutions, Forerunner provides a single, unified platform — a modern operating system for local government. With one system of record for geospatial data, permitting, inspections, compliance, grants, and more, agencies can:

• Simplify their tech stack: Consolidate vendors, reduce IT overhead, and standardize training.
• Unlock efficiency: Automate manual workflows so staff can focus on higher-value work.
• Strengthen resilience: Centralize data to speed disaster response and unlock federal funding faster.
• Build public trust: Give residents a consistent, transparent, user-friendly interface for services.
  
  

Scaling Our Impact Nationwide

Today, we’re excited to share that we've raised a total of $39 million in funding, with a recently closed $26.3 million Series B led by Wellington Management and a previously unannounced $12.7 million Series A led by Union Square Ventures. The Series A included participation from Gutter Capital and Bright Ventures, while the Series B added SE Ventures and Citi Impact Fund, with all existing investors returning for both rounds.

This funding allows us to expand beyond our roots in floodplain management into the critical workflows that touch millions of people every day: emergency management, hazard mitigation, code enforcement, infrastructure, permitting, grants, and more.

Our platform is already trusted by more than 180 agencies across 26 states, including the California Department of Water Resources, the Florida Division of Emergency Management, and the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency. With this round, we’ll accelerate our work with governments nationwide, scaling both our product capabilities and our partnerships.

‍Meeting the Moment

Disasters and hazards are growing more complex and costly. At the same time, residents expect clarity and speed from their governments — whether they’re filing for a permit, checking a flood map, or relying on timely updates during a storm.

Our mission is to give agencies the tools to meet this moment:

• Real-time geospatial dashboards for faster decisions
  
• Automated workflows for permitting, compliance, enforcement, and mitigation
  
• Mobile inspections and field tools that sync seamlessly
  
• Public websites and communication tools that improve transparency and trust
  

Looking Ahead

Our funding is about growth and resilience. It’s about ensuring that every government, regardless of size, has access to the infrastructure needed to operate effectively in the face of accelerating challenges.

We’re committed to helping agencies modernize their operations, safeguard their communities, and earn the trust of the residents they serve.

Because when the government works better, communities thrive.

Thank You

We couldn’t have reached this milestone without our partners - the agencies on the ground doing the hard work every day, our investors who believe in the mission, and our team who shows up with conviction and creativity. 

We’re just getting started.

Read our Axios Exclusive here.

Learn more about our mission and our fundraise: