Chicago Growth Partners

Chicago Growth Partners was founded in 2004 following a spin-out from William Blair & Company, where the team previously operated as William Blair Capital Partners since 1982. The move was primarily motivated by the desire to access a more diversified base of institutional investors. During its history, the core group raised and deployed six funds under the William Blair platform before establishing independence.

The firm focuses on middle-market companies across sectors such as education, healthcare, and industrial growth. After successfully raising two independent funds, including a $500 million fund in 2008, the firm reportedly abandoned efforts to raise a third fund in 2014. Throughout its existence, the firm and its predecessor raised approximately $1.8 billion across nine total funds.