The prestigious list celebrates the investors that believe in supporting founder-led businesses and helping them thrive. All companies on the list have successful track records of collaboration and remaining actively involved with the businesses they invest in.
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.
Since its founding, Lightview Capital has focused on investing in founder-led and bootstrapped businesses across the North American business services ecosystem. This marks the third consecutive year Lightview has been recognized by Inc., underscoring the firm’s ongoing commitment to helping visionary founders grow their companies while preserving the culture and values that made them successful.
Stan Bikulege, Principal at Lightview Capital, commented, “Each year, we are inspired by the creativity and resilience of the founders we support. Being recognized again by Inc. is a reflection of the trust and partnership we build with entrepreneurs who are driving meaningful impact in their industries.”
Drew Coash, Director at Lightview Capital, added, “Our focus has always been on working alongside founders to scale their businesses in a thoughtful and sustainable way. This recognition highlights the power of collaboration—combining entrepreneurial vision with our operational experience to achieve lasting results together.”
To compile the 2025 list, Inc. surveyed entrepreneurs who have partnered with private equity and venture capital firms, gathering insights about their experiences and how their companies have grown through those partnerships.
To view the complete list of 2025 Founder-Friendly Investors, visit Inc.com.
Introduced in 2019, Inc.’s Founder-Friendly Investors list has become a trusted resource for entrepreneurs seeking growth partners who align with their vision and values. The list recognizes firms that take a collaborative approach to investing and support founder-led businesses as they navigate the next phase of growth.
Inc. is the world’s most trusted business-media brand, providing entrepreneurs with the knowledge, tools, and community they need to build great companies. Its award-winning content reaches more than 50 million people each month across digital, social, print, newsletters, and events. Since 1982, its prestigious Inc. 5000 list has celebrated America’s fastest-growing privately held companies. For more information, visit.
Lightview Capital is a leading private equity firm focused on providing its portfolio companies with deep industry expertise, operational insight, and active resources to unlock growth and drive long-term value. The firm’s approachable investment style combines operational and financial experience with an entrepreneurial mindset that delivers measurable results. https://www.inc.com/founder-friendly-investors
For more information, visit lightviewcapital.com.