Chicago Growth Partners

Chicago Growth Partners was founded in 2004 following a spin-out by the senior partners of William Blair Capital Partners, a group that had been active since 1982. The firm was established to provide the team with access to a more diversified base of institutional investors than was possible as the investment arm of William Blair & Company. Over its history, including its time as a predecessor entity, the firm raised nine funds and deployed capital across six funds as a core group.

The firm focused on middle-market companies, particularly within the education, business services, healthcare, and industrial growth sectors. After completing its spin-out, Chicago Growth Partners raised $500 million for its second independent fund in 2008. However, in May 2014, the firm reportedly abandoned efforts to raise its third fund and effectively called it quits as an active fundraising entity.