Madison Dearborn Partners

Madison Dearborn Partners was established as an independent firm in 1992 by a team of investment professionals who previously operated the private equity arm of First Chicago Bank. Based in Chicago, Illinois, the firm has grown into one of the most prominent private equity houses in the United States, raising billions in capital since its inception.

The firm focuses on several core industry sectors, including basic industries, business and government software and services, financial and transaction services, and health care. MDP is particularly well-known for its expertise in complex leveraged buyouts and has been involved in some of the most significant transactions in the private equity industry.

Throughout its history, MDP has targeted both middle-market and large-cap companies. In the mid-2000s, the firm was particularly active in the public-to-private buyout market, completing numerous high-profile deals. While the firm faced notable challenges during that era, such as the collapsed C$51.7 billion buyout of Bell Canada, it has maintained a consistent presence as a major institutional investor in its target sectors.