Forgepoint raises $9.8M for AI sales reps targeting US manufacturers

Forgepoint has raised $9.8 million in seed funding to deploy AI sales representatives for small and mid-sized U.S. manufacturers. The round was co-led by Primary Venture Partners and a16z Speedrun, with the capital earmarked for Frank, an AI agent designed to accelerate custom price quoting and win more contracts.

The startup joins a crowded field of AI-powered sales tools, but its focus on manufacturing—a sector often slow to adopt automation—sets it apart. Frank targets a specific pain point: the time-consuming process of generating accurate quotes for custom orders, which can delay deals and erode margins. Forgepoint claims its AI can reduce quoting time from days to minutes, though it hasn’t disclosed customer traction or revenue metrics.

The round arrives as AI sales automation gains momentum, with startups like Clay and Othello securing larger checks for enterprise-grade tools. Forgepoint’s narrower vertical approach mirrors a broader trend of AI applications tailored to niche industries, where generic solutions fall short. Whether manufacturers will trust AI to handle complex pricing negotiations remains an open question—one that could define the startup’s trajectory.

Primary and a16z’s involvement suggests confidence in Forgepoint’s ability to scale within a fragmented market. For now, the company’s success hinges on proving its AI can outperform human sales reps in a sector where relationships and precision matter.

Sources: hackernoon.com