Platte River Equity Named a 2026 Founder-Friendly Investor by Inc. Magazine for Fifth Consecutive Year

Platte River Equity ("Platte River"), a Denver-based private equity firm that makes control investments in leading niche industrial companies, is honored to be named to Inc. Magazine's 2026 Founder-Friendly Investors List. The award recognizes firms that have earned a reputation for delivering deep expertise, strategic support and true partnership to founder-led companies. This marks the fifth consecutive year Inc. Magazine has recognized Platte River, which was selected as one of 294 firms across the investment landscape this year.

"Our fifth Founder-Friendly recognition from Inc. is a credit to the founders, owners and management teams who have trusted us with their companies," said Peter Calamari, Managing Director of Platte River. "Founders see how we operate, not just at closing but in the months and years after." Mark Brown, Managing Director of Platte River added, "We aim to be pragmatic, hands-on and equipped to help them enhance what they have built. Our job is to protect what makes those companies special, while positioning them to succeed and grow for generations to come."

Since its founding in 2006, approximately 90 percent of Platte River's investments have been partnerships with founders and entrepreneurs. The entrepreneurial and operational backgrounds of the firm's partners give Platte River a strong appreciation for what it takes to build businesses and how an outside investor can accelerate growth. Founders and entrepreneurs face a wide variety of challenges and opportunities unique to each business, ranging from estate and succession planning to solidifying a legacy and stability for the next generation of leaders within the company. Platte River's focused industry experience, the resources it offers to support its portfolio companies and the financial alignment as one of the largest investors across its funds combine to position the firm as a unique partner to founder-owned businesses.

"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. Magazine "The 2026 Founder-Friendly Investor awards celebrate those firms - the ones committed to partnership, excellence, and helping founder-led companies grow."

See the complete 2026 Inc. Founder-Friendly Investors List and more information here: https://www.inc.com/founder-friendly-investors

About Inc. Magazine

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.

The "Founder-Friendly Investors" award is published by Inc. Magazine ("Inc.") and recognizes private equity, venture capital and lenders that Inc. considers committed to supporting founder-led companies. To be eligible for the main list, a firm must have exited at least one U.S.-based, founder-led portfolio company since January 1, 2021. Applicants provide founder references, and Inc. surveys those founders about their experience with the firm. Inc. combines the survey results and portfolio company growth information into a proprietary score that, with editorial research, determines selection. Platte River is not aware of the number of advisers that applied or were evaluated. Platte River was notified of its selection for the 2026 list on July 24, 2026; the award is based on information from January 1, 2021 through May 14, 2026. Like all entrants, Platte River paid a fee to be considered for this award and pays a fee to use marketing collateral associated with the award. This award is not indicative of Platte River's future performance and is only one piece of information relevant to evaluating an investment adviser. Inc. is not affiliated with Platte River. Platte River received this award in 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 and 2026. More information is available at Founder-Friendly Investors Methodology: How We Selected These Firms.