Company Name: Chicago Growth Partners

History:

The Chicago Growth Partners private equity firm was founded in 2004 and is currently based in Chicago, Illinois. The firm, which was formerly known as the William Blair Capital Partners, focuses on growth capital investments in more than a few middles market companies in various industries.

Although the firm has only been around for a few years, its predecessor, the William Blair Capital Partners, was founded way back in 1982. Together, the firm and its forerunner were able to raise around $1.8 billion across nine different funds.

William Blair Capital Partners was originally founded to serve as an investment arm for William Blair and Company. William Blair Capital Partners had invested actively in more than a few leveraged buyout transactions during the early 1980s.

Eventually in 2004, the senior partners of WBCP were able to complete a spin out to form the Chicago Growth Partners. The main reason for the firm’s departure from William Blair’s team was to gain access to a wider range of institutional investors.

Chicago Growth Partners’ departure from William Blair and Company was completed at the same time as other spinouts of several private equity groups including the Court Square Capital Partners, JP Morgan Chase, Deutsch Bank, Morgan Stanley, as well as the Credit Suisse First Boston.

The firm is managed by a team of highly committed and experienced professionals. Its current managing partners are David G. Chandler, Robert P. Healy, and Dr. Arda M. Minocherhomjee. David Chandler, one of the firm’s founding partners, was formerly a managing director at William Blair Capital Partners. Robert Healy is also a founding partner of Chicago Growth Partners and a former managing director at William Blair Capital Partners. Prior to his career at the WBCP, Healy had served as the general partner at ClearLight Partners for three years.

Leadership:

• David Chandler – Managing Partner
• Robert P. Healy – Managing Partner
• Dr. Arda M. Minocherhomjee
• James Milbery – Operating Partner