Justin Bakes

Justin Bakes is the Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Forward Financing, a fast-growing fintech company providing fast, flexible working capital to small and medium-sized businesses throughout the U.S. that are often underserved by traditional financing options.

Since 2012, Forward Financing has expanded Main Street’s access to capital by providing over $1.6 billion in funding to more than 40,000 small businesses. The company is A+ rated by the Better Business Bureau, with an ‘Excellent / 4.9 stars’ rating on Trustpilot.com. Forward Financing has been recognized as a Best Place to Work by the Boston Business Journal and Built In Boston and is certified as a Great Place to Work^®.

Before founding Forward Financing, Justin served as Director of Mergers and Acquisitions for Miami-based Watsco, Inc. (NYSE:WSO), the largest independent distributor of air conditioning, heating, and refrigeration equipment in the U.S. During Justin’s three-year tenure, Watsco’s revenues doubled via acquisitions.

Justin has also held positions with UBS Investment Bank, where he advised U.S. and European financial institutions, private equity firms, and multinational corporations on mergers, acquisitions, and public and private financings in Europe and Latin America.

Despite his extensive experience working closely with large banks and corporations, Justin has built Forward Financing with the mission to make business financing accessible to a wide range of businesses by using technology to cut costs, increase speed and accuracy of credit decisions, and provide the highest level of service to small business clients.

Originally from South Florida, Justin graduated from Boston College with a Bachelor of Science in Finance. He is an active member of Young Presidents’ Organization and currently resides in Boston, Massachusetts with his wife and two young children.