Key Takeaways
- • Thoma Bravo, one of the largest software-focused private equity firms, earned recognition on Inc. Magazine's 2024 Founder-Friendly Investors List for the second consecutive year, reflecting institutional validation of its partnership approach with founders and management teams.
- • The firm's 40+ year track record in software investment, combined with its operational capabilities and sector expertise, positions it as a preferred partner for founder-led exits across enterprise software and technology sectors.
- • Thoma Bravo's diversified investment strategy—spanning traditional buyouts, minority growth equity investments, and dedicated credit facilities—enables flexible capital structures tailored to founder and company objectives.
- • The recognition was based on direct feedback from entrepreneurs who have sold to private equity and venture capital firms, underscoring founder satisfaction and trust in Thoma Bravo's stewardship post-acquisition.
Summary
Thoma Bravo, a leading software-focused private equity firm headquartered in San Francisco, has been named to Inc. Magazine's 2024 Founder-Friendly Investors List, marking the firm's second consecutive year of recognition. The honor reflects institutional validation of Thoma Bravo's reputation as a collaborative partner for founders and management teams seeking private equity capital and operational support in the software and technology sectors.
According to Scott Crabill, Managing Partner at Thoma Bravo, the recognition underscores the firm's commitment to leveraging its deep sector expertise and operational capabilities to support portfolio company growth. Crabill stated, "This acknowledgment of Thoma Bravo as a preferred partner is both a privilege and a responsibility, and we look forward to continuing to leverage Thoma Bravo's operational capabilities and deep sector expertise to help implement best practices, encourage innovation, and drive value across all our portfolio companies."
Inc. Magazine compiled the Founder-Friendly Investors list by soliciting direct feedback from entrepreneurs who have previously sold their companies to private equity and venture capital firms. This methodology ensures that recognition is grounded in founder satisfaction and real-world partnership experiences rather than self-reporting. The list specifically acknowledges investment firms demonstrating strong track records of supporting founder-led growth and value creation initiatives.
Thoma Bravo's investment platform extends beyond traditional leveraged buyouts. The firm maintains a tailored growth equity strategy focused on minority investments in high-growth software and technology companies, as well as a dedicated credit strategy for debt investments in the same sectors. This diversified approach enables the firm to structure transactions around founder and company objectives rather than a standardized playbook. With more than four decades of operating history in enterprise software, Thoma Bravo has established itself as one of the largest private equity investors in the sector, with significant operational resources dedicated to post-acquisition value creation and management team collaboration.
According to Scott Crabill, Managing Partner at Thoma Bravo, the recognition underscores the firm's commitment to leveraging its deep sector expertise and operational capabilities to support portfolio company growth. Crabill stated, "This acknowledgment of Thoma Bravo as a preferred partner is both a privilege and a responsibility, and we look forward to continuing to leverage Thoma Bravo's operational capabilities and deep sector expertise to help implement best practices, encourage innovation, and drive value across all our portfolio companies."
Inc. Magazine compiled the Founder-Friendly Investors list by soliciting direct feedback from entrepreneurs who have previously sold their companies to private equity and venture capital firms. This methodology ensures that recognition is grounded in founder satisfaction and real-world partnership experiences rather than self-reporting. The list specifically acknowledges investment firms demonstrating strong track records of supporting founder-led growth and value creation initiatives.
Thoma Bravo's investment platform extends beyond traditional leveraged buyouts. The firm maintains a tailored growth equity strategy focused on minority investments in high-growth software and technology companies, as well as a dedicated credit strategy for debt investments in the same sectors. This diversified approach enables the firm to structure transactions around founder and company objectives rather than a standardized playbook. With more than four decades of operating history in enterprise software, Thoma Bravo has established itself as one of the largest private equity investors in the sector, with significant operational resources dedicated to post-acquisition value creation and management team collaboration.
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