Adams Street Partners

Adams Street Partners was founded in 1972 as the growth equity division of First National Bank of Chicago, originally known as First Chicago Investment Advisors. In 1989, CEO Gary P. Brinson led a management buyout of the division, spinning it out as Brinson Partners. The firm was later acquired by Swiss Bank Corporation (which merged with UBS) before spinning out again as an independent entity on January 1, 2001. In 2008, the firm became fully employee-owned after acquiring UBS's remaining stake.

While historically recognized as one of the world's largest fund of funds managers, the firm has expanded its capabilities significantly in recent years. In 2014, it acquired a minority stake in the Royal Bank of Scotland's private equity unit, and in 2016, it formally launched its own venture capital and private credit businesses. As of 2024, it is ranked among the top 50 largest private equity firms globally by Private Equity International.