Key Takeaways
- • Francisco Partners was named to Inc.'s 2026 Founder-Friendly Investors list for a sixth consecutive year, one of 294 private equity, venture capital and lending firms recognized.
- • The honor is based on surveys of entrepreneurs who sold to PE, VC and debt firms, who rated their partnership experiences and shared company performance data.
- • The recognition follows the firm's July close of $21 billion across Francisco Partners VIII, L.P. and Francisco Partners Agility IV, L.P., its largest fundraise in 27 years, bringing total capital raised above $75 billion.
- • The firm has invested in more than 500 technology companies since its 1999 founding and employs a team of more than 50 operating executives to support portfolio management teams.
Summary
Francisco Partners, a San Francisco-based investment firm focused on technology and technology-enabled businesses, announced that Inc. has included it on its Founder-Friendly Investors list for the sixth consecutive year. The 2026 list recognizes 294 private equity, venture capital and lending firms that founders identified as strong partners through the investment process, according to the company's Business Wire release.
Inc. compiled the list by surveying entrepreneurs who have sold to private equity and venture capital firms. Founders completed questionnaires about their experiences with private equity, venture capital and debt firms and shared data on how their companies performed during those partnerships. Bonny Ghosh, editorial director at Inc., said founders are seeking more than capital from investors, particularly given the current funding environment.
The recognition comes during what the firm describes as a landmark year. In July, Francisco Partners 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. The company described this as the largest fundraise in its 27-year history, bringing total capital raised to more than $75 billion.
Co-Founder and CEO Dipanjan ("DJ") Deb said rapid advances in AI are changing how technology companies operate, compete and grow, making the choice of investment partner more important. He said the firm's approach centers on understanding each company's needs and providing capital, expertise and operational resources.
Since its founding in 1999, Francisco Partners has invested in more than 500 technology companies. The firm's Operating Executives team, which includes more than 50 experienced executives and functional experts, works with management teams on growth, operations and performance. The firm's own materials are the source of these figures, and the Inc. ranking reflects founder survey responses rather than independent audit.
Inc. compiled the list by surveying entrepreneurs who have sold to private equity and venture capital firms. Founders completed questionnaires about their experiences with private equity, venture capital and debt firms and shared data on how their companies performed during those partnerships. Bonny Ghosh, editorial director at Inc., said founders are seeking more than capital from investors, particularly given the current funding environment.
The recognition comes during what the firm describes as a landmark year. In July, Francisco Partners 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. The company described this as the largest fundraise in its 27-year history, bringing total capital raised to more than $75 billion.
Co-Founder and CEO Dipanjan ("DJ") Deb said rapid advances in AI are changing how technology companies operate, compete and grow, making the choice of investment partner more important. He said the firm's approach centers on understanding each company's needs and providing capital, expertise and operational resources.
Since its founding in 1999, Francisco Partners has invested in more than 500 technology companies. The firm's Operating Executives team, which includes more than 50 experienced executives and functional experts, works with management teams on growth, operations and performance. The firm's own materials are the source of these figures, and the Inc. ranking reflects founder survey responses rather than independent audit.
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