NEW YORK, Oct. 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — AEA Investors (“AEA” or the “Firm”) today announced that it has been named to Inc.’s 2026 Founder-Friendly Investors list, marking the fourth consecutive year the Firm has earned the recognition. The annual list honors investment firms with proven track records of backing founder-led companies and helping them grow.

For more than five decades, AEA has partnered with the founders and management teams of leading middle market companies to accelerate growth, strengthen operations, and build enduring businesses. Through its three complementary private equity strategies – Middle Market Private Equity, Enterprise, and Elevate – the Firm has invested in a broad range of founder-led companies. AEA’s entrepreneurial culture aligns closely with that of its founder partners, while its relationship-driven approach is grounded in trust, transparency, and a shared commitment to long-term value creation.

“We are pleased to be recognized by Inc. for the fourth consecutive year, reflecting the strength of our relationships with founders and the results we have achieved together,” said Brian Hoesterey, Chief Executive Officer of AEA. “Our approach is built on a shared vision for each business and a commitment to supporting management teams as they execute their strategies. We are grateful for the confidence founders have placed in AEA and remain focused on being a trusted partner for founder-led businesses.”

Inc.’s Founder-Friendly Investors list is designed to help entrepreneurs identify capital partners they can rely on. Honorees are selected based on founder references, investment outcomes, and reputation for supporting founder-led businesses through true collaboration. To view the full list of 2026 honorees, visit www.inc.com/founder-friendly-investors/2026.* 

About AEA Investors
AEA Investors (“AEA”) is a leading global alternative investment firm that has partnered with exceptional middle-market businesses for over 55 years. With a diversified suite of investment strategies spanning private equity and private credit, AEA has established itself as a trusted provider of comprehensive solutions to the middle market. Since its founding by the Rockefeller, Mellon, and Harriman family interests and S.G. Warburg & Co. in 1968, AEA has built an extraordinary network of investors, business leaders, operators, and advisors and a rich institutional knowledge base. Today, the firm manages approximately $19 billion in assets and operates through collaborative teams of skilled professionals around the world. Leveraging its deep expertise, extensive network, and robust resources, AEA seeks to deliver sustainable, long-term value. For more information, visit www.aeainvestors.com. 

*The 2026 list of Founder-Friendly Investors, published by Inc. on October 27, 2026, was based on the time period from January 2021 through June 2026. An entry fee was paid to submit an application for this award.

Media Contact

Heidi DuBois (AEA Investors)
(212) 644 5900
Media@aeainvestors.com

Kate Thompson / Madeline Jones / Kate Kelley
Joele Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher
(212) 355-4449

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SOURCE AEA Investors