StoriesHow PeopleFirst Leadership Powers Growth at Ascend
Ascend brings Alpine’s PeopleFirst leadership to life, showing how people-first private equity can drive growth while preserving integrity.


SAN FRANCISCO – October 28, 2025 – Alpine Investors (“Alpine”), a people-driven private equity firm, is pleased to share that it has been named to Inc.’s Founder Friendly Investors list for the seventh year in a row. The annual list recognizes the private equity, venture capital and private debt firms that have a proven track record of partnering with entrepreneurs to help scale and strengthen their businesses.
This recognition distinguishes firms that go beyond providing capital, delivering strategic guidance, operational expertise, and hands-on support to help companies scale. To build this year’s list, Inc. gathered data on how founder-led portfolio companies performed under each firm’s ownership, interviewed founders on the value of their partnerships, and applied a proprietary scoring system alongside editorial research.
“We are honored to once again be named to Inc.’s Founder Friendly Investors List,” said Graham Weaver, CEO and Founding Partner of Alpine Investors. “At Alpine, our PeopleFirst philosophy guides how we recruit, coach, and partner with leaders. By supporting founders in ways that protect their vision while driving growth, we demonstrate that investing in people first builds stronger companies and lasting value.”
Alpine partners closely with founders by offering tailored leadership support, operational resources, and a values-driven team dedicated to advancing their growth. Its executive talent programs, including CEO-in-Training and CEO-in-Residence, give founders the flexibility to transition or supplement their leadership teams. Alpine’s partnerships are designed to strengthen businesses without compromising the culture that makes them unique.
“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.”
Inc. is a New York City-based media brand for entrepreneurs and is not affiliated with Alpine. Alpine paid a fee for submission to be considered for this award. For more information about the selection criteria and process, please visit Inc.’s website. This award was given on October 28, 2025, and was based upon information from the previous year.
Alpine Investors is a people-driven private equity firm that is committed to building enduring companies by working with, learning from, and developing exceptional people. Alpine specializes in investments in companies in the software and services industries. Its PeopleFirst strategy includes a talent program which allows Alpine to bring leadership to situations where additional or new management is needed post-transaction. Alpine has $18.7B in assets under management and three offices in San Francisco, New York, and Salt Lake City. For more information, visit www.alpineinvestors.com.
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.
Audrey Harris
Head of Marketing
aharris@alpineinvestors.com
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StoriesAscend brings Alpine’s PeopleFirst leadership to life, showing how people-first private equity can drive growth while preserving integrity.
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