Koch Disruptive Technologies

Koch Disruptive Technologies (KDT) is the principal venture and growth equity arm of Koch Industries, one of the largest privately held companies in the world with approximately $130 billion in annual revenue. KDT invests the Koch family’s capital in companies that are applying technology to transform large, established industries. The firm is headquartered in Wichita, Kansas, with investment professionals based across the United States.

Investment Strategy

Koch Industries operates across refining, chemicals, fertilizers, forest products, glass, polymers, and technology. This sprawling industrial footprint gives KDT a differentiated perspective when evaluating technology companies that sell into or disrupt these sectors. The firm’s investment thesis centers on identifying companies where Koch’s operational capabilities, customer relationships, and domain expertise can accelerate growth.

KDT typically targets growth-stage and late-stage companies with proven revenue models and clear paths to profitability. Deal sizes range from $50 million to $500 million, and the firm takes meaningful minority positions. KDT is not a passive financial investor. The firm actively connects portfolio companies with Koch’s business units, procurement teams, and distribution channels to drive commercial outcomes.

Beyond KDT, the Koch family’s wealth is managed through a combination of Koch Industries’ retained earnings, direct investments, and a portfolio of diversified assets. The family’s approach is fundamentally long-term. As a private company, Koch Industries does not face quarterly earnings pressure, and this patient orientation extends to the family’s investment activities. There is no fund lifecycle or return-of-capital timeline. Capital is deployed and held based on the underlying business trajectory, not exit windows.

Private Markets Approach

KDT has built a portfolio of over 100 companies spanning enterprise software, industrial automation, precision medicine, financial services, and energy technology. Notable investments include Spring Health (mental health), Solera (automotive technology), Infor (enterprise software), and Transaction Network Services (payments infrastructure).

The firm’s competitive advantage in private markets stems from its ability to serve as both an investor and a strategic partner. Koch Industries’ 120,000 employees across dozens of business units create a built-in distribution channel and testing ground for portfolio companies. A software company selling into manufacturing, for example, can pilot its product across Koch’s own facilities before scaling externally.

KDT also participates in buyouts and take-private transactions, often in partnership with private equity firms or as a direct acquirer when a business fits within Koch Industries’ operating portfolio. The line between financial investment and strategic acquisition is intentionally blurred. If a portfolio company proves its value within Koch’s ecosystem, acquisition becomes a natural outcome.

The firm has expanded its energy transition investments in recent years, backing companies in carbon capture, renewable fuels, and battery technology. Koch Industries’ deep expertise in energy and chemicals positions KDT as a credible partner for companies navigating the intersection of industrial decarbonization and commercial viability.