Chicago Growth Partners

Chicago Growth Partners was founded in 2004 following a spin-out from William Blair & Company, where the team originally operated as William Blair Capital Partners beginning in 1982. The spin-out was motivated by a desire to access a more diversified base of institutional investors independent of the investment bank. Throughout its history including its predecessor, the group raised nine funds totaling approximately $1.8 billion.

The firm focused on middle-market investments across education, business services, healthcare, and industrial growth sectors. After successfully raising a $500 million second fund in 2008, the firm faced challenges in the following years. In May 2014, it was reported that Chicago Growth Partners had abandoned efforts to raise its third fund and would effectively cease operations as an active fundraising entity.