Francisco Partners (“FP”), a leading investment firm that specializes in partnering with technology businesses, today announced its sixth consecutive inclusion on Inc.’s Founder-Friendly Investors list, which honors private equity, venture capital firms and lenders with demonstrated track records of supporting founder-led companies. This year’s list recognizes 294 firms for their collaborative approach to partnering with founders and providing the strategic support and resources needed to drive long-term growth and success.

“We’re proud to be recognized by Inc. for the sixth consecutive year,” said Dipanjan (“DJ”) Deb, Co-Founder and CEO of Francisco Partners. “As the rapid evolution of AI fundamentally changes how technology companies operate, compete and grow, having the right investment partner matters more than ever. Our approach is grounded in understanding each company’s unique needs and bringing the capital, expertise and operational resources to help founders navigate change, seize new opportunities and build enduring businesses.”

This recognition comes during a landmark year for Francisco Partners. In July, the firm announced the closing of $21 billion in capital commitments across its flagship Francisco Partners VIII, L.P. and middle-market Francisco Partners Agility IV, L.P. funds, marking the largest fundraise in the firm’s 27-year history and bringing total capital raised to more than $75 billion. The new funds will enable FP to continue partnering with founders, management teams and corporate partners to build market-leading technology businesses that power critical industries and digital transformation globally.

Since its founding in 1999, Francisco Partners has invested in more than 500 technology companies, with a focus on delivering value beyond capital to businesses at key inflection points. The firm combines deep sector expertise with hands-on operational capabilities, including through its Francisco Partners Operating Executives (FPO) team of more than 50 experienced executives and functional experts who work closely with management teams to accelerate growth, strengthen operations and help businesses reach their full potential.

“With the current funding environment and rapid changes facing growing companies, founders are looking for more than just capital from their investors. They want true partners who believe in their business, but who are also able to provide the critical advisement and strategic support they need to reach their potential,” says Bonny Ghosh, editorial director at Inc. “The 2026 Founder-Friendly Investor awards celebrate those firms – the ones committed to partnership, excellence, and helping founder-led companies grow.”

To compile the Founder-Friendly Investors list, Inc. went straight to the source: entrepreneurs who have sold to private equity and venture capital firms. Founders completed questionnaires about their experiences partnering with private equity, venture capital and debt firms and shared data on how their companies have performed during these partnerships. The resulting list highlights investors that founders identified as strong partners throughout the investment process.

For more information or to view the complete list of honorees, visit https://www.inc.com/founder-friendly-investors.

About Francisco Partners

Francisco Partners is a leading global investment firm that specializes in partnering with technology and technology-enabled businesses. Since its launch over 25 years ago, Francisco Partners has invested in over 500 technology companies, making it one of the most active and longstanding investors in the technology industry. With over $75 billion in capital raised to date, the firm invests in opportunities where its deep sectoral knowledge and operational expertise can help companies realize their full potential. For more information on Francisco Partners, please visit www.franciscopartners.com.

About Inc.

Inc. is the leading media brand and playbook for the entrepreneurs and business leaders shaping our future. Through its journalism, Inc. aims to inform, educate, and elevate the profile of its community: the risk-takers, the innovators, and the ultra-driven go-getters who are creating the future of business. Inc. is published by Mansueto Ventures LLC, along with fellow leading business publication Fast Company. For more information, visit www.inc.com.

Media gallery

About The Author
Business Wire