Runway Growth Capital Named to Inc.'s 2026 Founder-Friendly Investors List for Fourth Consecutive Year

The recognition reflects Runway's longstanding commitment to providing flexible, minimally dilutive capital and supporting founders as long-term partners.

MENLO PARK, Calif., Oct. 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Runway Growth Capital LLC ("Runway" or "Runway Growth Capital"), a leading provider of growth loans to both venture and non-venture-backed companies seeking an alternative to raising equity, today announced its inclusion in Inc. Magazine's 2026 Founder-Friendly Investors list. This marks the fourth consecutive year Runway has earned a place on the annual list, underscoring the firm's commitment to helping entrepreneurs access the capital they need to grow while preserving more ownership and strategic flexibility.

"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."

The prestigious Founder-Friendly Investors list celebrates the investors and firms that work closely with entrepreneurs and remain engaged with the businesses they back. Honorees are recognized for their approach to partnering with founders and supporting their companies through growth and beyond.

"Being founder-friendly ultimately comes down to how a capital partner behaves, not just when a transaction closes, but throughout the relationship," said David Spreng, Founder, Co-Chief Executive Officer, and Co-Chief Investment Officer of Runway Growth Capital. "The right financing should create options for entrepreneurs, not take them away. We're proud to be recognized again for an approach that has been central to Runway from the beginning."

"Having been a founder myself, I know how much it matters to work with capital partners who understand your challenges, are there to add value, and are rooting for your success," said Michael Rovner, Co-Chief Executive Officer and Co-Chief Investment Officer of Runway Growth Capital. "That is the experience Runway has built its reputation on, and a fourth consecutive year on this list tells me founders agree. As we grow the platform, our priority is to make sure the next generation of entrepreneurs has that same experience with Runway."

Since its founding in 2015, Runway Growth Capital has funded 115 companies, with $4.0 billion in total originations. The firm provides flexible, minimally dilutive debt financing to late- and growth-stage businesses, working alongside passionate entrepreneurs and experienced management teams to support their next phase of growth, from expanding teams and entering new markets to bridging to a larger equity round. With more than a decade of experience, Runway combines tailored financing solutions with a collaborative approach grounded in trust, transparency, and long-term alignment.

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.

Legal Disclosure
The award for Runway's advisory services has been given by a non-advisory client. A cash compensation entry fee was given in association with the award. Any compensation may create a conflict of interest. For more information on Inc.'s award selection process, click here.

About Runway Growth Capital LLC
Runway Growth Capital LLC is the investment adviser to investment funds, including Runway Growth Finance Corp. (Nasdaq: RWAY), a business development company, and other private funds, which are lenders of growth capital to companies seeking an alternative to raising equity. Led by industry veterans David Spreng and Michael Rovner, these funds provide senior term loans of a target of $10 million to $150 million to fast-growing companies largely based in the United States and Canada.

For more information on Runway Growth Capital LLC and its platform, please visit runwaygrowth.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.

Forward-Looking Statements
Statements included herein may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements other than statements of historical facts included in this press release may constitute forward-looking statements and are not guarantees of future performance, condition, or results and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors, including those described from time to time in filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission made by Runway and Runway's affiliated funds. Neither Runway nor Runway's affiliated funds undertake a duty to update any forward-looking statement made herein. All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release.

SOURCE Runway Growth Capital LLC