Forward Recognized Among 2026 Fortune Best Workplaces in Bay Area for Third Year in a Row

In a significant achievement, Forward, formerly known as Forward Networks, has secured a spot on the esteemed 2026 Fortune Best Workplaces in the Bay Area list. Coming in at 18th place, this recognition marks the third consecutive year the company has earned this honor. The accolade underscores Forward's dedication to fostering an exceptional workplace culture where employees feel respected, challenged, and inspired.

David Erickson, the CEO and Co-Founder of Forward, stated, "Building Forward Predict, a unique capability that mitigates the risks involved in network changes, exemplifies the kind of meaningful work that fosters a desirable workplace culture. Being acknowledged as a Fortune Great Place to Work in Technology confirms our belief that our team’s extraordinary talent leads to impactful results, enabling us to redefine network operations successfully."

Methodology of Selection

The recognition was made possible through a comprehensive assessment conducted by Great Place To Work®, which collected more than 70,000 confidential survey responses from employees at eligible companies. This survey aimed to evaluate various factors, including how companies build trust among employees, the quality of workplace experiences, and the overall organizational culture.

The competition for the Best Workplaces in the Bay Area is fierce, with many companies striving to provide outstanding experiences for their employees. The survey results reflect a holistic view of the workplace climate, showcasing the organizations that prioritize the well-being of their workforce, regardless of their position or role.

Getting on the List

To be eligible for this prestigious list, companies must hold Great Place To Work Certification, maintain a minimum of ten U.S. employees, and be headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area. Michael C. Bush, CEO of Great Place To Work, congratulated the honorees, stating, "By focusing on people and their needs, these companies demonstrate resilience and effectiveness in a fast-paced business landscape that requires innovation and agility."

About Forward

Forward specializes in making safe autonomous networking a reality. With its mathematically precise representation of network changes, known as a network digital twin, the company equips organizations with the necessary insight to ensure network behaviors align with intended outcomes. This capability allows clients to execute changes swiftly while maintaining security and confidence across various environments, including major cloud platforms like AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, and IBM.

Some of the most notable clients, including Goldman Sachs, PayPal, and IBM, have entrusted Forward with their networking needs, benefiting greatly in terms of efficiency and security—averaging an annual benefit of approximately $14.2 million, as cited in a recent IDC report.

As Forward looks to the future, it invites prospective employees to explore career opportunities through its dedicated careers page.

Conclusion

The recognition from Fortune and Great Place To Work solidifies Forward's position as a leader in workplace culture within the tech industry. By continuing to prioritize employee satisfaction and innovation, Forward is crafting a workspace that not only attracts talent but also retains it, paving the way for future successes in the ever-evolving landscape of technology.