Accel-KKR Named to Inc.'s List of Founder-Friendly Investors for Seventh Consecutive Year

MENLO PARK, Calif., Oct. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Accel-KKR, a global technology-focused investment firm, has been named in Inc.'s 2025 List of Founder-Friendly Investors. This recognition marks the seventh year in a row that Accel-KKR has been named to the list.

Over the past 25 years, Accel-KKR has been investing in middle-market software and technology enabled services companies with the goal of advancing their journeys by bringing capital, expertise and a network of relationships to enable them to grow faster and more profitably. During this time, the firm has sought to take a collaborative approach to working with the management teams of its portfolio companies to help their businesses reach their full potential.

Accel-KKR has invested in or acquired over 500 technology companies globally since its founding in 2000, making it one of the most active private equity firms in the software and tech-enabled services sector. These transactions have included acquisitions and recapitalizations of founder-owned or closely-held private companies; buyouts of divisions, subsidiaries and business units from private and public companies; and going-private transactions of public companies. Nearly two out of every three companies in which Accel-KKR has invested has been founder-led. Today, Accel-KKR has $23 billion in committed capital across its buyout, growth capital and credit funds, providing for flexibility depending on the needs of its portfolio companies.

"We are proud of the partnerships we have formed with incredible founders and entrepreneurs and to have earned their trust as we have provided capital and guidance to help drive growth," said Rob Palumbo, Co-Managing Partner of Accel-KKR.

"This recognition by Inc. reflects what we strive for every day: building value alongside founders and management teams by investing in the people and innovation that create stronger, more durable businesses," said Tom Barnds, Co-Managing Partner of Accel-KKR.

For the third consecutive year, Accel-KKR also was recognized on Inc.'s Founder-Friendly Investors list as a debt financing provider, in addition to its role as a private equity investor.

Introduced in 2019, the Founder-Friendly Investors list quickly established itself as one of Inc.'s most resourceful franchises. It has become a go-to guide for entrepreneurs who want to grow their companies while retaining an ownership stake. To compile the list, Inc. went straight to the source: entrepreneurs who have sold to private equity and venture capital firms. Founders filled out a questionnaire about their experiences partnering with private equity, venture capital, and debt firms and shared data on how their portfolio companies have grown during these partnerships.

About Accel-KKR

Accel-KKR is a technology-focused investment firm with $23 billion in cumulative capital raised. The firm focuses on software and tech-enabled businesses, well-positioned for top-line and bottom-line growth. At the core of Accel-KKR's investment strategy is a commitment to developing strong partnerships with the management teams of its partner companies and a focus on building value alongside management by leveraging the significant resources available through the Accel-KKR network. Accel-KKR focuses on middle-market companies and provides a broad range of capital solutions, including buyout capital, minority-growth investments and credit alternatives. Accel-KKR also invests across various transaction types, including private company recapitalizations, divisional carve-outs and going-private transactions. Accel-KKR's headquarters is in Menlo Park, with offices in Atlanta, Chicago and London.

The 2025 List of Founder-Friendly Investors is published by Inc. Magazine on October 28, 2025. Inclusion on this list reflects the independent editorial judgment of Inc. Magazine based in part on qualitative feedback from founders and entrepreneurs. Other third parties may reach different conclusions based on the same information. Accel-KKR paid both a processing fee and a logo licensing reprint fee in connection with this recognition. This recognition should not be construed as a statement of investment performance or superiority. To see the complete list of award recipients, go to: https://www.inc.com/founder-friendly-investors/2025.

Media Contact:

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SOURCE Accel-KKR