---
title: "Capstreet Named to Inc.’s 2025 Founder-Friendly Investors List"
description: "Capstreet, a Houston-based lower middle market private equity firm, announced today that it has been named to Inc.’s 2025 Founder-Friendly Investors list..."
url: https://capstreet.multisites.ai/news/capstreet-named-to-inc-s-2025-founder-friendly-investors-list
publisher: Capstreet
phone: +1-713-332-2700
contact: https://capstreet.multisites.ai/contact
---

# Capstreet Named to Inc.’s 2025 Founder-Friendly Investors List

OtherPublished November 4, 20253 min read

![Capstreet team members at Houston Reads Day](https://capstreet.multisites.ai/_astro/houston-reads-day.DxNd9bIr_Z23gxjt.webp)

Capstreet, a Houston-based lower middle market private equity firm, announced today that it has been named to Inc.’s 2025 Founder-Friendly Investors list, which honors private equity firms, venture capital firms, and lenders with a track record of backing founder-led companies. This year’s list recognizes Capstreet among 248 firms.

The companies named to the Founder-Friendly list have track records of collaboration and remaining actively involved with the businesses they invest in. Inc. compiled the list based on questionnaires from owners who have sold to private equity and venture capital firms about their experiences partnering with private equity, venture capital, and debt firms and data on how their companies have grown during these partnerships.

“Supporting founders through active, authentic partnership is core to Capstreet’s philosophy,” said Capstreet Managing Partner Neil Kallmeyer. “We are honored that Inc. has recognized our ongoing commitment to partner with and empower entrepreneurs to scale and transform their businesses, wherever they may be in their evolution.”

Since its founding in 1990, Capstreet has raised more than $1.3 billion in capital across five funds. Its current portfolio of 14 companies spans software, tech-enabled services, and industrial business services industries. Capstreet’s flexible Capvalue Framework® provides industry best practices, access to subject matter experts, technologies, and human and capital resources, to help companies scale quicker and create value faster, based on specific stages in their evolution.

“Raising capital is no small feat for today’s entrepreneurs. That’s why discovering investors who offer more than just financial backing—those who bring mentorship, resources, and a true spirit of partnership to your growth journey—is both rare and invaluable,” says Bonny Ghosh, editorial director at Inc. “The 2025 Founder-Friendly Investors are collaborators and dedicated to helping their portfolio companies succeed.”

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

About Capstreet\*\*

Founded in 1990, Capstreet invests in lower middle market software, tech-enabled services, and industrial business services companies. With more than 50 platform investments and more than 200 add-on acquisitions since inception, Capstreet’s investment strategy is focused on utilizing its Capvalue Framework® to help accelerate growth and profitability, and create long-term sustainable businesses. The majority of Capstreet’s investments have been with founder- or entrepreneur-owned businesses. For more information, visit the Capstreet website, [https://capstreet.com](https://capstreet.com/).

_The “Founder-Friendly Investors” award is a program designed by Inc. Magazine to help founder-led companies accelerate growth and create revenue. The annual list highlights the private equity firms, venture capital firms, and lenders with track records of backing founder-led companies. Like all entrants, Capstreet paid a fee to apply to be considered for the 2025 award and is not affiliated with Inc. This award is not to be construed as indicative of Capstreet’s future performance. The award was granted on October 28, 2025._

**About Inc.**

Inc. is a media brand and playbook for entrepreneurs and business leaders shaping the 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](http://www.inc.com/).

## Terms on this page

-   [Lower Middle Market](https://capstreet.multisites.ai/glossary/lower-middle-market)
-   [Private Equity](https://capstreet.multisites.ai/glossary/private-equity)

## Keep reading

-   [Automotive technology private equity for dealer-focused companiesCapstreet invests in automotive technology businesses that help dealerships. The firm targets solutions for sales, marketing, finance and insurance, and service lane operations. It describes several recent investments in the sector and looks for owners with $3 to $15 million of EBITDA who want a majority capital partner.](https://capstreet.multisites.ai/industries/automotive)
-   [Business Succession and Exit Options: How to Choose the Right Next Step for Your CompanyOwners have five main exit paths: transfer to family, sell to management, sell to employees through an ESOP, sell to a strategic buyer, or partner with private equity. Each trades price, speed, control and legacy differently. Start planning at least three to five years before you want to step back.](https://capstreet.multisites.ai/business-succession-and-exit-options)
-   [Buy and Build Strategy: How a Platform Company Grows Through Add-On AcquisitionsA buy and build strategy starts with one well-run platform company and adds smaller businesses to it over time. The goal is a larger, more capable company than any single piece could be. It fits fragmented industries best. Owners of smaller firms can sell to a platform and often stay on.](https://capstreet.multisites.ai/buy-and-build-strategy)
-   [Construction technology private equity for software ownersCapstreet believes technology can drive large changes in construction efficiency and project delivery. It targets software businesses that support project and financial management for general contractors and sub-contractors. The firm sees the industry as early on its technology adoption curve and looks for owners with $3 to $15 million of EBITDA.](https://capstreet.multisites.ai/industries/construction)
-   [Capstreet deal criteria: the companies we look forCapstreet looks for entrepreneur-owned business services companies with $3 to $15 million of EBITDA. We make primarily majority investments, and entrepreneurs reinvest alongside Capstreet. We want a tenured team, solid financials, a defensive business model, untapped growth potential and a niche advantage. We invest across 12 industries.](https://capstreet.multisites.ai/deal-criteria)
-   [The due diligence checklist for owners selling to private equityDue diligence is the buyer's check of your business after you sign a letter of intent. Private equity firms review five areas: financial (quality of earnings), operations, tax, HR and benefits, and legal. Owners who gather clean records before the process starts shorten it and face fewer surprises.](https://capstreet.multisites.ai/guides/due-diligence-checklist-for-owners)

## Ready to get started? Let’s talk.

Tell us about your company and what you want next. Conversations are private, and there is no obligation.

[Start a conversation](https://capstreet.multisites.ai/contact)

[(713) 332-2700](tel:+1-713-332-2700)[connect@capstreet.com](mailto:connect@capstreet.com)

![Capstreet team members at a Houston elementary school for Houston Reads Day](https://capstreet.multisites.ai/_astro/houston-reads-day.DxNd9bIr_tggWP.webp)