We buy software companies that don't fit the usual exit paths.

Kura buys small, vertical software companies from founders who want a thoughtful transition
and a long-term home for their team, customers, and product.

Get in Touch

Kura (蔵), pronounced "koo-rah," is a Japanese storehouse built to protect valuable possessions across generations. We thought it was fitting.

What We Do

Most software companies don't have a clean exit path. They're too small for private equity, not built for venture-scale growth, and too independent to be absorbed by a strategic acquirer.

Those founders often end up in limbo, and that's where Kura helps.

We buy niche software companies with the intention of holding them permanently. We reinvest in the product, support the existing team, and make operating decisions with years in mind.

The brand, the team, and the culture stay intact, and customers continue to get the product they depend on. That's the Kura operating model.

What We Look For

We focus on B2B software companies that support mission-critical workflows in a specific industry.

We gravitate toward:

Founder-led or founder-owned
Profitable, with a real operating history
Recurring revenue and strong retention
A durable niche with clear reasons customers stay
A team that wants to keep building
EBITDA between $250K and $2M

We especially like regulated, slower-moving industries where barriers to entry are high, switching costs are real, and customers value stability more than chasing the newest trend.

If your company doesn't check every box, we'd rather have a conversation than miss a company that could be a great fit.

Who We Are

We've spent our careers building, operating, selling, and investing in software companies.

Steve Cornwell

Co-founder

Steve has spent 20 years building, operating, and selling software companies. He founded Northpass and led the company through its acquisition by Gainsight. Earlier in his career, he helped scale Edifice through its acquisition by SPS Commerce.

After both exits, Steve stayed on to operate inside the acquiring companies. That experience shaped how Kura thinks about ownership: clear expectations, respect for the team, and a real commitment to customers.

Outside of work, Steve is raising four kids, mountain biking, and studying technology and leadership, which his kids have come to accept as his version of fun.

Tom Vander Schaaff

Co-founder

Tom has spent 30 years as an investor, operator, and CFO across software and technology companies. He's evaluated hundreds of companies, partnered with dozens of founders, and has a finance and operating perspective built on seeing what actually works over long time horizons.

Tom and Steve first worked together when Tom invested in Northpass, a partnership that led to its acquisition. That shared experience is a big part of why they started Kura: they'd seen what a good partnership between a founder and an acquirer looks like, and they wanted to be that kind of acquirer for other founders.

Outside of work, Tom spends time with his family, including his daughters and dogs, who continue to keep him humble.

How We Work With Founders

For most founders, selling their company means handing off years of work, relationships, customer trust, and personal identity.

We know that because we've lived it.

Our goal is to be direct, respectful, and efficient. We move quickly when there's a fit, communicate clearly when there's not, and avoid unnecessary diligence.

We buy companies at fair prices, structure deals that work for both sides, and provide the existing team the support needed to keep building.

Kura is built for founders who care what happens after the close.

Let's Talk

If you're a founder starting to think about what's next for your company, we'd welcome the conversation.

hello@kura.holdings