Adams Street Partners

Adams Street Partners was established in 1972 as the growth equity division of First National Bank of Chicago, originally known as First Chicago Investment Advisors. In 1989, the division underwent a management buyout led by Gary P. Brinson and was renamed Brinson Partners. Following a series of corporate acquisitions involving Swiss Bank Corporation and the subsequent formation of UBS, the firm was spun out as an independent entity called Adams Street Partners in 2001 to avoid banking regulatory constraints.

In 2008, Adams Street Partners became fully employee-owned after purchasing UBS's remaining stake. The firm has since expanded its operational scope, launching dedicated venture capital and private credit businesses in 2016. It is consistently recognized as one of the largest private equity firms globally, particularly noted for its significant presence in the fund of funds market.