Private equity firms play a pivotal role in the business landscape of Illinois, facilitating growth opportunities for various industries. By injecting capital into businesses, these firms are instrumental not just in driving businesses' growth but in shaping industry trends. Spanning different sectors - from technology to healthcare - these firms offer aid to companies via numerous services including due diligence, operational improvements, and strategic planning. Their strategies can range from investing in growth-stage businesses, buyouts, or even distressed companies. With an ever-evolving business landscape, Illinois's private equity sector continues to adapt and innovate, steadily drawing attention for its significance in the larger economic picture.


Top 25 private equity firms in Illinois

1. E78 Partners

  • Website: e78partners.com
  • Headquarters: Oak Brook, Illinois, United States
  • Founded: 2016
  • Headcount: 201-500
  • Latest funding type: Private Equity
  • LinkedIn

E78 Partners is a finance and technology firm that offers tailored expertise to various industries. They provide solutions for private equity and venture capital, CEOs, CFOs, and hedge funds. Their services include fund solutions, finance and accounting consulting, executive services, technology services and solutions, and transaction execution services. With a focus on leveraging the power of technology, E78 Partners aims to reduce process time and enhance value creation. They cater to a diverse range of customer groups and offer comprehensive solutions for sponsors and management teams.


2. Birchwood Healthcare Partners

  • Website: birchwoodhcp.com
  • Headquarters: Chicago, Illinois, United States
  • Founded: 2014
  • Headcount: 1001-5000
  • Latest funding type: Series Unknown
  • LinkedIn

Birchwood Healthcare Partners is an investment firm focused on the senior healthcare industry. They aim to produce superior returns through a vertically integrated, high-quality care approach. Birchwood invests in communities and operating platforms to create efficiencies. They engage with entrepreneurs and sometimes invest in new products and services targeting seniors healthcare.


3. Victory Park Capital Advisors

Victory Park Capital Advisors, LLC (VPC) is an alternative investment firm that invests in emerging and established businesses across various industries, providing them with access to capital. VPC offers customized investment solutions across the private capital spectrum, leveraging its extensive network, deal origination, financing capabilities, credit structuring, and special situations expertise. The firm, founded in 2007, is privately held and registered with the SEC.


4. Linden Capital Partners

  • Website: lindenllc.com
  • Headquarters: Chicago, Illinois, United States
  • Founded: 2002
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • LinkedIn

Linden LLC is an investment firm specializing in private equity with a focus on healthcare companies. They have a dedicated value creation program and collaborate with operating partners to develop exceptional healthcare companies. Their portfolio includes firms like Regenity Biosciences and Spear Education.


5. RoundTable Healthcare Partners

RoundTable Healthcare Partners is an operating-oriented private equity firm focused exclusively on the healthcare industry. They build leading healthcare companies of lasting value.


6. High Street Capital

High Street Capital is an investment banking firm based in Chicago, offering equity, experience, and ideas for middle market businesses. They specialize in private equity fund management and provide investment solutions to business owners.


7. Merit Capital Partners

Merit Capital Partners is a private equity firm that provides capital for management buyouts, recapitalizations, acquisition financings, and other shareholder liquidity events. They focus on majority ownership investments and offer flexible capital solutions.


8. Pfingsten Partners

  • Website: pfingsten.com
  • Headquarters: Chicago, Illinois, United States
  • Founded: 1989
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • LinkedIn

Pfingsten is a private equity investment firm that partners with entrepreneurs and family-owned companies. They provide conservative capital structures to drive value and offer operational resources and expertise to build lasting value.


9. CIVC Partners

  • Website: civc.com
  • Headquarters: Chicago, Illinois, United States
  • Founded: 1970
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • LinkedIn

CIVC Partners is a Chicago-based private equity firm specializing in investment in middle-market business services companies. They work closely with founders and management teams to accelerate the growth of businesses.


10. New Harbor Capital

New Harbor Capital is a Chicago-based private equity firm that specializes in technology-enabled services, healthcare, and education investments. They work closely with businesses to accelerate growth and create sustainable partnerships. Their team of experienced investment principals and partners provides support and expertise to their portfolio companies.


11. Glencoe Capital

  • Website: glencap.com
  • Headquarters: Chicago, Illinois, United States
  • Founded: 1993
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • LinkedIn

Glencoe Capital is a private equity firm that focuses on lead-sponsored acquisitions and growth equity investments for middle market companies.


12. Shore Capital Partners

  • Website: shorecp.com
  • Headquarters: Chicago, Illinois, United States
  • Founded: 2009
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • LinkedIn

Shore Capital Partners is an investment firm providing capital, connections, and operational support to local entrepreneurs. They help entrepreneurs build their businesses into regional and national powerhouses.


13. NXT Capital

  • Website: nxtcapital.com
  • Headquarters: Chicago, Illinois, United States
  • Founded: 2010
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Latest funding type: Acquired
  • LinkedIn

NXT Capital's Direct Lending Group provides cash flow-based financing solutions to private equity, sponsor-owned, and middle-market companies. With a senior team of experienced professionals, NXT Capital offers flexibility in deal structure, certainty of close, and straightforward communication.


14. Twin Brook Capital Partners

  • Website: twincp.com
  • Headquarters: Chicago, Illinois, United States
  • Founded: 2014
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • LinkedIn

Twin Brook Capital Partners is a leading provider of financing solutions in the middle market. With a focus on the healthcare sector, they offer reliable lending partnerships and deep sector expertise. Their experienced professionals build trust with clients and establish long-term relationships, offering financing solutions that meet their unique needs.


15. Walton Street Capital

  • Website: waltonst.com
  • Headquarters: Chicago, Illinois, United States
  • Founded: 1994
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • LinkedIn

Walton Street Capital is a privately held real estate investment firm that combines value-add and opportunistic strategies to invest in Mexico-based commercial real estate. They have proven experience and expertise in real estate equity and debt investments across the risk/return spectrum.


16. NextGen Growth Partners

  • Website: nextgengp.com
  • Headquarters: Chicago, Illinois, United States
  • Founded: 2016
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Latest funding type: Seed
  • LinkedIn

NextGen Growth Partners is a collaborative investment firm that specializes in acquiring and building successful companies in growing industries. We prioritize partnerships with entrepreneurs, business owners, and investors to drive growth and preserve legacies. Our tailored transition plans and committed capital ensure a smooth and successful acquisition process.


17. Sheridan Capital Partners

Sheridan Capital Partners is a healthcare focused private equity firm that specializes in investing in the lower middle market. They combine deep sector knowledge with a collaborative and strategic approach to building enduring value.


18. Longview Capital Corporation

Longview Capital is a financial services company that offers a range of investment banking and capital raising services to small and mid-sized businesses. They provide strategic advice and financial expertise to help clients achieve their goals and grow their businesses.


19. Silver Oak Services Partners

Silver Oak Services Partners is a lower middle market private equity firm that specializes in making investments in leading business, healthcare, and consumer services companies.


20. Granite Creek Capital Partners, L.L.C.

Granite Creek is a Chicago-based private investment firm focused on providing capital, experience, and resources to lower middle market companies for their next phase of growth or a transitional event.


21. Kinship Capital

Kinship Capital is an entrepreneurial real estate firm that generates robust risk-adjusted performance through cycles. They offer flexible and tailored investment and joint venture structures to maximize project returns. Their investment strategy is to generate significant capital appreciation over a long duration investment horizon of 50+ years.


22. Lincoln International

Lincoln International is a global investment banking firm that specializes in mergers and acquisitions (M&A), private capital raising, debt advisory, and restructuring for middle market companies. With a team of experienced professionals and a global network, we provide tailored financial advice and solutions to our clients.


23. Fgmk, LLC

  • Website: fgmk.com
  • Headquarters: Chicago, Illinois, United States
  • Founded: 1969
  • Headcount: 201-500
  • LinkedIn

FGMK LLC is a leading professional services firm that offers a wide range of financial and advisory services to businesses. With significant tax expertise, they provide services such as tax consulting, financial reporting, dispute consulting, and more. They cater to various industries and help organizations proactively develop their security strategy and mitigate risks.


24. Prudential Private Capital

Prudential Private Capital is a capital provider to middle-market companies, offering a range of financial solutions including subordinated debt, preferred equity, and direct lending. With a steady and patient commitment, they help businesses navigate through various challenges and support their growth and expansion.


25. Gtcr LLC

  • Website: gtcr.com
  • Headquarters: Chicago, Illinois, United States
  • Founded: 1980
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Latest funding type: Private Equity
  • LinkedIn

GTCR is a leading private equity firm headquartered in Chicago. We invest in high-growth companies across various industries, partnering with management teams to drive strategic and operational improvements. Our focus is on creating long-term value for our portfolio companies and our investors.


Want to find more private equity firms?


If you want to find more companies that offer a plethora of services, from strategic planning to operational improvements you can do so with Inven. This list was built with Inven and there are hundreds of companies like these globally.


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  • Ownership: Which of these are private equity backed? Which are family-owned?
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...and a lot more!