Future Back Ventures by Bain & Company Research
Investment Thesis
Future Back Ventures (FBV) is a venture fund inside Bain & Company that invests in early-stage start-ups founded or led by Bain alumni. Its stated belief is that Bain alumni are building the companies of the future and that Bain's resources, expertise and network can help them on the way. The site tagline is "Helping create the future by backing our past." Bain's own page says FBV sits within Bain's Strategy practice and is funded by Bain & Company and its partners; other profiles place it in Bain's Engine 2 venture portfolio. The fund launched in 2023, and a profile of the managing partner says a follow-on fund was raised in 2026. Fund size is not disclosed on the sources read.
Sector Focus
FBV calls itself a generalist fund. It says it invests across technology, financial services, consumer goods, industrials and more, and it argues that a Bain background equips founders to choose promising spaces. The portfolio leans toward B2B software and AI: market research (Outset, Strella), revenue automation (Zenskar), travel and expense (Clarasight), identity verification (Verisoul), event marketing (Vendelux), retail agreements (Handshake). It also holds fintech (Defacto, Chariot, Edge, Nous, Sucasa), health plan administration (Yuzu Health), logistics and autonomy (Hived, AeroVect), climate and weather (Brightband, Qube), and consumer (Doughlicious, Duckbill).
Stage Focus
First checks are typically from pre-seed up to Series B, with an aim to follow on in later rounds. Bain's page describes the range as seed to growth stage. Third-party profiles say it mostly invests at seed and Series A.
Check Size
No check size is published on the site or Bain's page. It is left unset here.
Lead Tendency
FBV says it typically does not lead. Another venture fund leads and FBV participates as a co-investor, adding Bain's resources. It can partner with existing investors or help founders find more investors.
Recent Activity
Third-party trackers (Aug 2026) describe FBV as active, with about a dozen investments and several in the last twelve months, the latest reported in June 2026. The firm held an inaugural Bain & Company Alumni Pitch Day in San Francisco on April 24, 2024. Press in April 2024 reported it had closed on its first five investments, with a heavy focus on AI. These trackers were not read directly, so only the pitch day is recorded as an event.
Portfolio Highlights
The company page lists 22 companies: AeroVect, Applecart, Brightband, Chariot, Clarasight, Common Sense Privacy, Defacto, Doughlicious, Duckbill, Edge, Goodword, Handshake, Hived, Nous, Outset, Qube, Sucasa, Strella, Vendelux, Verisoul, Yuzu Health and Zenskar. The page gives no dates, stages or domains. No exits are named.
Team
- Ann Scott-Plante, Head of Fund (Vice President on Bain's page): former Bain consultant, co-founder and co-CEO of Wello (acquired by Weight Watchers), later angel investor and advisor. Stanford GSB and Dartmouth.
- Cameron Ramsay, Principal (Director, FBV London on Bain's page): ex-Bain consultant, launched Results Talent Network and Caliber by Bain at Engine 2. University of Cape Town.
- Miles Cook, Chairman of the Investment Committee and Bain Senior and Advisory Partner: helped launch Bain's private equity practice and Atlanta office; angel investor and board member on several companies with exits. Stanford GSB and UVA.
Decision Process
An Investment Committee of start-up-oriented Bain Senior Partners is involved. FBV says its team structure, diligence and evaluation resemble a traditional venture fund. Bain partners around the world are LPs, industry experts, connectors and advisors.
Founder Preferences
Bain alumni first. FBV also invests in non-alumni teams in select cases where Bain's involvement could accelerate the company. Founders can reach out early, even before fundraising, and book an intro call via the site.
What Founders Get
Advisory support from Bain partners and mentors, a community of alumni founders, alumni network introductions, access to talent including Bain externs and the BeyondBain job board, and Bain IP.
Geographic Focus
Global, with no stated limit. Portfolio companies are in the US, UK, Australia and elsewhere.