WASHINGTON, Oct. 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Oridian Capital Partners (“Oridian”), a lower middle market private equity firm formerly known as HCI Equity Partners, today announced that it has been named to Inc.’s 2026 Founder-Friendly Investors list for the seventh consecutive year. Inc.’s annual list recognizes private equity firms, venture capital firms and lenders with demonstrated track records of supporting founder-led businesses.
“Being recognized for seven consecutive years reflects our longstanding commitment to building trusted partnerships with founders and management teams,” said Doug McCormick, Managing Partner and Chief Investment Officer at Oridian Capital Partners. “We recognize the years of dedication and entrepreneurial vision that go into building a successful business. Our approach is grounded in preserving that foundation while providing the strategic resources, operational expertise and capital to help companies realize their full potential.”
To compile the Founder-Friendly Investors list, Inc. surveyed entrepreneurs who have sold their businesses to private equity and venture capital firms. Founders completed questionnaires detailing their experiences working with private equity, venture capital and debt firms and provided data on their companies’ performance during those partnerships. The resulting list highlights investment firms that founders identified as strong partners throughout the investment process.
“Oridian understands what it takes to build on the foundation of a founder-led business while positioning it for its next stage of growth,” said Scott Milberg, CEO of ACR. “Their team brings a collaborative mindset, deep operational experience and a commitment to working alongside management. That partnership has been instrumental as we continue to expand our capabilities and pursue new opportunities for growth.”
Bob Hund, Operating Partner at Oridian Capital Partners, added, “This recognition is particularly meaningful because it reflects feedback directly from the founders we partner with. Founder- and family-owned businesses have long been central to our investment strategy, and we understand the importance of aligning our operational expertise with their long-term objectives. This recognition reinforces the value of our approach and the results we work to achieve together.”
About Oridian Capital Partners
Oridian Capital Partners (formerly HCI Equity Partners) is a lower middle market private equity firm focused on partnering with growth-oriented, family and founder-owned service, distribution, and manufacturing companies. The firm targets entry points in large, stable, fragmented North American markets and drives transformational growth through disciplined M&A consolidation and operational excellence. Oridian is headquartered in Washington, D.C., please visit oridiancapital.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..
Media Contact
LLYC
Christina Maldonado
christina.maldonado@llyc.global
Inc. Magazine’s Founder-Friendly Investors is a published list of U.S. founder-friendly private equity firms. Oridian Capital Partners has paid a fee to be considered for this recognition. Private equity firms that have exited U.S.-based, founder-led, public or private, portfolio companies within the past five years were eligible to apply. This recognition is based on the analysis of and information gathered by Inc. Magazine using its own criteria and methodologies. As part of the vetting process, Inc. Magazine interviewed one or more portfolio company representatives about their experience partnering with Oridian. For investments to qualify, portfolio company founders must have remained actively involved in their business for at least one year post-investment. The complete list of private equity firms considered for this award is not known to Oridian. The award reflects information about a sample of portfolio companies and may not be representative of every portfolio company’s experience with Oridian. There is no guarantee that similar awards will be obtained by Oridian in the future. Portfolio companies should make their own determinations about the prospects of partnering with Oridian.
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SOURCE Oridian Capital Partners
