Thirteen Dallas-Fort Worth Investment Firms Earn Founder-Friendly Distinction

Thirteen investment firms in Dallas-Fort Worth appeared on Inc. magazine’s 2026 list of founder-friendly investors. The unranked list honors 294 venture capital, private equity, and debt lending firms across the United States. Inc. stated that these organizations provide capital while also helping companies navigate challenges and accelerate growth.

Broadwing Capital, a private equity firm based in Dallas, received special recognition as one of 36 Founder Champions. Inc. noted that these investors build reputations for supporting founders with tailored guidance and steady assistance during difficult periods. Broadwing applies a stewardship-first model that engages founders while helping businesses grow without sacrificing culture or community impact. The firm invests in lower-middle-market manufacturers and service providers and made the list for the first time.

Eliot Kerlin Jr., co-founder and managing partner at Broadwing, said the recognition reflects the experience of the founders the firm partners with. He noted that when a founder chooses Broadwing, they trust the team to help carry forward a business built over years or generations. Kerlin stated that being founder-friendly is not a tagline but a core belief in how partnerships should operate. The firm said it often serves as the first institutional capital partner for a business, taking time to understand company goals before investing.

Maple Park Capital Partners, which maintains dual headquarters in Dallas and New York City, also appeared on the list. The firm, founded last year, embraces a founder’s perspective in its value creation process. Alexander Blankfein, co-founder and managing partner, said the partnership focuses on founder goals as much as financial numbers. Maple Park has invested in Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard and Prep Network, a prep sports platform. The firm invests in North American service businesses in sectors including multiunit franchising, youth enrichment, travel, and business services.

The other DFW firms named on the list include Blue Star Innovation Partners in Frisco; CIC Partners, Citation Capital, Cypress Growth Capital, Latticework Capital Management, Satori Capital, Sky Island Capital, Sole Source Capital, Trinity Hunt Partners, and Trive Capital in Dallas; and Gauge Capital in Southlake. Broadwing’s co-founders, Kerlin and Andrew Boisseau, launched the firm in 2022. Since then, the firm has invested in 26 lower-middle-market companies and manages more than $700 million in assets. In August, Broadwing announced it had raised $440 million for its first investment fund, Broadwing Capital Fund I.

Inc. evaluates firms for the annual list based on data regarding portfolio company growth and feedback from founders. Eligible firms must have exited at least one U.S.-based, founder-led portfolio company since January 1, 2021. Inc. editors combine this proprietary score with their own research to determine which firms appear on the list. Bonny Ghosh, editorial director at Inc., said founders are looking for true partners who provide critical advisement and strategic support in addition to capital.