What Forward 48 does

Forward 48 is a Wisconsin-based leadership development organization founded in 2020 by Ian Abston as a partnership between the Greater Milwaukee Committee and the Hoan Group, operating a six-week immersive cohort program for emerging leaders aged 25-45. The company delivers its curriculum through weekly in-person sessions across Wisconsin cities including Milwaukee, Madison, Green Bay, Fox Valley, Kenosha, Racine, Appleton, and Marshfield, featuring faculty storytelling by 50+ seasoned Wisconsin executives, small group "home team" discussions, and personal vision work. As of 2025, the program has produced 560+ alumni across nine cohorts, representing 200+ Wisconsin companies, with no technology platform or digital product layer; all value is delivered through human-facilitated programming.

The business model is a single-tier membership program priced at $3,000 per participant ($2,700 with early-bird discount), with two cohorts per year (Spring and Fall) of approximately 50-62 participants each. Distribution occurs through direct applications and employer nominations via the company website, with channel support from regional economic development partners (Madison Region Economic Partnership, New North Inc.), institutional partners (Marquette University offering four scholarship credits toward MBA or Master's of Public Service programs, Rotary Milwaukee offering complimentary membership, TitletownTech, American Family Insurance DreamBank), and media partners (The Business Journal, BizTimes, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel). There are no separate product tiers, digital add-ons, or enterprise licensing tiers; every participant accesses the same programming and lifetime alumni network membership.

Forward 48 operates with a small core team of fewer than 10 employees led by President Maurice Thomas alongside Founder Ian Abston, with operational leadership distributed across Director of Experience, Director of Strategy & Partnerships, Growth Marketing and Communications Manager, and Program & Operations roles, plus a strategic advisor. An advisory board and co-chairs from major Wisconsin employers (VJS Construction, Johnson Financial Group, Gilbane Building Co., Waukesha State Bank) provide institutional governance. Implied annual revenue, based on two cohorts per year at roughly 60 participants paying $3,000, is approximately $360K-$400K, placing the organization firmly in the sub-$1M band with steady, demand-driven cohort growth.

Name

Forward 48

Legal name

Forward 48

Website

https://forward48.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Forward 48 is a Wisconsin-based leadership development organization founded in 2020 that runs six-week cohort programs for emerging leaders aged 25-45, connecting participants with 50+ regional executives and a 560+ alumni network through semi-annual cohorts across the state.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Leadership Development Services

NAICS

Professional and Management Development Training (611430), Professional and Management Development Training (61143), Business Schools and Computer and Management Training (6114)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)

akta.pro primary industry

High-Potential & Succession Coaching (EDABANAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Corporate & Leadership Development (BPACANAA), Leadership Assessment, 360 Feedback & Development Planning (EDABAAAK), Team & Group Executive Coaching (Leadership Teams) (EDABANAF)

Keywords

• Leadership development program
• Professional cohort training
• Executive mentorship
• Emerging leader education
• Regional talent development

Headquarters

HQ city

M7 Region, Wisconsin

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Program Membership Fees: Primary revenue from cohort program fees. Standard pricing at $3,000 per participant with Early Bird pricing at $2,700. Payment plans available. Many participants pursue employer tuition reimbursement.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Forward 48 runs a six-week intensive leadership development cohort program for emerging professionals ages 25-45 across Wisconsin. Each cohort combines expert-led sessions, peer learning, and one-on-one executive mentorship to accelerate leadership growth. The program is sold as a per-participant seat with an annual tuition fee and includes ongoing alumni programming after graduation.

Product overview

Forward 48 is a single, unified leadership development service offering rather than a technology platform with modular products. The core offering consists of a six-week cohort-based leadership program that connects emerging Wisconsin leaders (ages 25-45) with established executives through faculty storytelling, small group dialogues, and home team collaboration. This program is bundled with lifetime access to an alumni network of 560+ leaders and ongoing exclusive alumni events. The organization does not offer separate product tiers, add-on modules, or technology products—all participants receive access to the same program features including cohort sessions, home teams, and alumni programming.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Forward 48 Leadership Development Program A six-week intensive cohort program for emerging leaders ages 25-45 in Wisconsin, pairing expert-led sessions with one-on-one executive mentorship and peer learning; tuition is paid per participant (often with employer sponsorship).

Quantifiable outcome

• Confidence in recognizing blindspots and biases increased by 7.6% after program completion
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and minor.

• Madison Region Economic Partnership (MadREP)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Partnership expanded Forward 48's reach to the Madison region, allowing participants from Wisconsin's capital area to join the statewide network.
• New North, Inc.majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Partnership expanded Forward 48 to Northeast Wisconsin/New North region, including access to TitletownTech and Green Bay Packers executives. CEO Barb LaMue emphasized diversity in participant recruitment.
• Greater Milwaukee CommitteecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding partner organization that co-created Forward 48 with Ian Abston's Hoan Group. The partnership established the initial vision for connecting Milwaukee's current and aspiring community champions.
• Hoan GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding partner organization led by Ian Abston. The Hoan Group provides strategic operations and business development support for Forward 48. Drew Formentini joined as consultant supporting these efforts.
• Rotary MilwaukeemajorGTM or Marketing PartnerForward 48 participants receive complimentary Rotary membership for six months. Program includes access to Rotary Milwaukee programming and events. All alumni in Milwaukee receive complimentary Rotary membership.
• Marquette UniversityminorGTM or Marketing PartnerForward 48 alumni receive four scholarship credits toward an MBA or Master's of Public Service from Marquette University when they begin within one year of program completion.
• Milwaukee MagazineminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMedia partner providing coverage and visibility for Forward 48 events and alumni.
• The Business JournalminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMedia partner providing business news coverage and visibility for the program.
• American Family Insurance DreamBankminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSpring 2025 cohort kickoff venue in Madison, Wisconsin. Community initiative dedicated to helping people achieve their dreams with collaborative workspace and event facilities.
• TitletownTechminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGreen Bay-based technology and business innovation hub. Managing Partner Craig Dickman serves as Faculty Speaker. Spring 2025 cohort held session at TitletownTech facility.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Vistage Worldwide: Vistage runs paid peer-advisory chair groups for CEOs and senior executives with monthly facilitated sessions and a curated peer network. It directly mirrors Forward 48's model of cohort-based paid peer leadership development, though at a higher price point and for more senior executives.
• Young Presidents' Organization (YPO): YPO is a global peer membership organization for chief executives focused on leadership development through peer forums, learning events, and lifelong networks. Its forum/chapter structure parallels Forward 48's cohort + Home Team model and its lifelong alumni engagement loop.
• Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO): EO is a global peer network of entrepreneurs offering forum-based learning, leadership events, and member programming. It is comparable in its cohort/forum-based, peer-led learning approach and its lifetime alumni network, though scaled to founders rather than emerging corporate/community leaders.
• Center for Creative Leadership (CCL): CCL is a globally recognized leadership development research and training provider with cohort programs,360 feedback, and executive education. It is the closest specialist incumbent in the leadership development category Forward 48 operates in, with overlapping curriculum themes (inclusive leadership, feedback, leading through change).

Emerging players

• Leadercast: Leadercast delivers large-scale leadership events and content for emerging leaders and managers. While less cohort-driven than Forward 48, it competes for the same employer L&D budgets and emerging-leader audience via events, digital content, and live broadcasts.

Broad incumbents

• Korn Ferry: Korn Ferry is a global organizational consulting firm with a substantial leadership development, coaching, and talent advisory practice. It competes for enterprise leadership development budgets and operates at much broader scale, often delivering cohort-based executive programs alongside advisory work.
• DDI (Development Dimensions International): DDI is a global leadership and selection consulting firm that delivers leadership development programs, assessment, and coaching to enterprises. Its curriculum-based leadership programs and leadership assessment capabilities overlap with Forward 48's developmental focus and measured outcomes.

Regional players

• Marquette University College of Business Administration (Executive Education): Marquette University delivers executive education and graduate business programs in Wisconsin and already partners with Forward 48 (offering scholarship credits to alumni). It represents the regional academic peer for executive/leadership development with shared Wisconsin clientele and curriculum overlap.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@forward.48
• Facebookfacebook.com/forward48
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/forward-48
• Instagraminstagram.com/forward.48

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Forward 48