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Top Chicago Private Equity Funds

Explore 53 Chicago Private Equity Funds that source acquisition and investment opportunities on Axial’s M&A platform.

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Axial Insights

Chicago Private Equity Funds

53

Active Firms

1,544

TTM Deal Inquiries

$6M-$26M

Core Revenue Range

$1M-$5M

Core EBITDA Range

Top Sectors by Activity

Industrials 47%
Technology 12%
Healthcare 10%
Consumer Goods 8%
Business Services 8%

Key Attributes

Focus: Control Investments | Capital Source: Committed Capital | Operating Approach: Scale & Exit

Showing 1-20 of 53 Private Equity Funds

Sorted by recent activity

NextGen Growth Partners

2 Closed Deals via Axial 12 Total Closed Deals Actively Sourcing Deals
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NextGen Growth Partners (“NGP”) is a Chicago-based private investment firm. We recently closed our $165M+ Fund III and are actively seeking great family/founder-owned businesses to partner with for their next phase of growth. We are unique in that we provide flexible succession planning for founders/owners looking to exit the business post-close (whether that be immediately or several years after). We do this by bringing in one of our talented Entrepreneurs in Residence to transition into the business after a transaction.

Recent Transactions

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  • Feb 2025 Acquired Confidential Company
  • Aug 2023 Invested in Premier Property Services LLC
  • Aug 2023 Invested in MWH
  • Aug 2023 Acquired Confidential Company

Pfingsten Partners

1 Closed Deal via Axial 48 Total Closed Deals Actively Sourcing Deals
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Pfingsten is an operationally-driven private equity firm focused on long-term value creation. From our headquarters in Chicago with support from representative offices in India and China, we help businesses in ways few private equity firms can, applying our unique operational and global resources to offer real solutions to our companies, unlocking value and propelling growth. We invest a minimum of 50% equity into the capital structure of each portfolio company, providing the flexibility to create value through operational improvements, professional management practices, global capabilities…

Recent Transactions

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  • Aug 2023 Acquired Pacific Lasertec
  • Dec 2022 Acquired Tempest
  • Aug 2022 Acquired Fowler
  • Dec 2021 Acquired Fairbank Equipment

Crescendo Capital Partners

1 Closed Deal via Axial 15 Total Closed Deals Actively Sourcing Deals
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Crescendo Capital Partners is a private equity firm based in Los Angeles. Crescendo is primarily focused on middle-market change-of-control transactions, typically with enterprise values from $10M-$100M. While industry generalists, we have specific operating resources in the following fields, which help source, vet, manage and/or oversee portfolio companies: * construction/trades* healthcare * food/beverage/nutra * outsourcing/staffing * light distribution* retail/distribution * packaging/consumer products We are a very actively engaged private equity partner across strategy, operations and…

Recent Transactions

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  • Aug 2023 Acquired Montbleau
  • Aug 2022 Acquired AGS Construction
  • Aug 2021 Acquired Calm Waters Pool Services
  • Aug 2021 Acquired Pools on the Gulf

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The Edgewater Funds

1 Closed Deal via Axial 15 Total Closed Deals Actively Sourcing Deals
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Through Edgewater Growth Capital Partners, we partner with management to help accelerate growth in their businesses. Edgewater focuses on funding high quality middle market companies where we can add substantial value through our capital, our experience and our broad network.

Recent Transactions

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  • Oct 2025 Acquired Confidential Company
  • Nov 2024 Acquired NYX Health Eligibility Services
  • Aug 2024 Acquired Nationwide Coils, Inc.
  • Jul 2024 Acquired Silver State Refrigeration & HVAC

Chicago Capital Partners

1 Closed Deal via Axial 12 Total Closed Deals Actively Sourcing Deals
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Chicago Capital Partners is a private equity firm which primarily makes control investments in lower middle-market companies with $2-10 million of EBITDA in the following industries: business services, consumer products, distribution, food and beverage, and niche manufacturing. Our fund structure and investment mindset promote building business partnerships and creating value over the long-term.Operational Perspective: Managed by founders and operators, our team understands small and family business dynamics;Partnership Focused: We partner with strong management teams, provide…

Recent Transactions

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  • Apr 2025 Acquired Confidential Company
  • Feb 2022 Acquired Nickerson
  • Jun 2021 Acquired Chocolate Works
  • Dec 2020 Acquired Home Sweet Home

CIVC Partners

55 Total Closed Deals Actively Sourcing Deals
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CIVC Partners is a Chicago-based private equity firm investing in high growth middle market companies in business services sectors. Since 1989, the team has invested over $1.9 billion and currently invests from CIVC Partners Fund VII. More information on CIVC Partners and its portfolio companies can be found at www.civc.com.

Recent Transactions

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  • Aug 2024 Acquired Renu
  • Feb 2024 Acquired Highstreet IT Solutions
  • Jan 2024 Acquired HR Green
  • Jan 2024 Acquired Datavail

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Industrial Opportunity Partners

35 Total Closed Deals Actively Sourcing Deals
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Industrial Opportunity Partners, LLC ("IOP"), based in Evanston, IL, is a private equity investment firm. With $910 million of committed capital since its inception, IOP is focused on acquiring and managing middle-market manufacturing and value-added distribution businesses. Utilizing its operations-focused approach and dedicated Board of Operating Principals, IOP has a track record of stabilizing, growing and enhancing the value of its acquired businesses having invested in over 20 platform companies.

Recent Transactions

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  • May 2024 Acquired Transcendia
  • May 2024 Acquired Forte Opening Solutions
  • May 2023 Acquired HARVEST FOOD GROUP
  • Apr 2022 Acquired VIAFLEX

SE Capital Partners, LLC

29 Total Closed Deals Actively Sourcing Deals
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SE Capital is a private investment and acquisition firm which operates as a strategic partner for quality management teams of small and mid-sized companies in select industries.As skilled business builders we know how to recognize compelling market and industry opportunities that others may overlook, and respond to them quickly and thoughtfully with a well-defined strategic vision.As hands-on investment professionals we help develop and arrange supportive, cost-efficient capital structures for improved organizational energy, operational flexibility and profitable growth.As relationship…

Recent Transactions

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  • Apr 2024 Acquired Cardinal Heating & Air
  • Jun 2022 Acquired Ultimate Heating & Air, Inc.
  • Apr 2022 Acquired Russett Southwest Corporation
  • Apr 2021 Acquired PEOPLEASE

Silver Oak Services Partners, LLC

26 Total Closed Deals Actively Sourcing Deals
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Silver Oak Services Partners is a lower-middle market private equity firm focused exclusively on service businesses. We seek to partner with exceptional management teams to build industry leading business, consumer and healthcare service companies.Silver Oak utilizes a proactive, research-led investment process to identify attractive services sectors and seek out the best potential management teams and investment opportunities. We bring extensive services industry expertise and relationships to our investments and work closely with our management teams to drive long-term value creation.Silver…

Recent Transactions

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  • Aug 2023 Acquired VASA Fitness
  • Dec 2022 Acquired Vecta Environmental Services
  • Dec 2020 Acquired Geriatric Medical
  • Nov 2020 Acquired Launch Family Entertainment

Granite Creek Capital Partners

23 Total Closed Deals Actively Sourcing Deals
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Granite Creek manages SBIC funds providing flexible debt and equity capital to lower middle market companies. Target check sizes are $15mm to $25mm (with flexibility to scale to $50mm+ with partners) with a focus on targets with $4mm to $12mm of EBITDA. We partner with management teams to help grow their businesses and be their institutional capital partner, even when we are in a minority position. We also partner with independent sponsors. Our capital is flexible and we can invest in a wide variety of debt (senior, subordinated, mezzanine) and equity securities (preferred, common, other) to…

Recent Transactions

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  • Jan 2026 Invested in Confidential Company
  • Dec 2025 Acquired Confidential Company
  • Nov 2024 Acquired Ritchie Industries
  • Sep 2024 Acquired Global Animal Products

Benford Capital Partners

17 Total Closed Deals Actively Sourcing Deals
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BCP partners with founders, family owners and managers to grow smaller companies over time. As engaged stewards and partners, we seek to build businesses and invest in people while preserving each company’s legacy and culture.

Recent Transactions

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  • Dec 2020 Acquired Brothers International Food Corporation
  • Nov 2019 Acquired LiteSentry
  • Oct 2019 Acquired Warehouse-Lighting.com
  • Mar 2019 Acquired Atlas RFID Solutions

May River Capital

15 Total Closed Deals Actively Sourcing Deals
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May River Capital is a private equity investment firm based in Chicago and founded by three partners who seek to help lower middle-market, high-caliber industrial businesses grow and thrive. We take pride in our culture of partnership and collaboration—a characteristic rooted in the fundamental appreciation of the human element in business. Since 2012, we have completed 33 acquisitions across 15 industrial growth platforms. We are currently investing out of our third Fund of $530M.

Recent Transactions

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  • Apr 2025 Acquired Tusk Industrial
  • Oct 2024 Acquired NDSL
  • Oct 2024 Acquired Cashco
  • Nov 2023 Acquired RLE Technologies

Hadley Capital

15 Total Closed Deals Actively Sourcing Deals
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We work with founders/owners, families and management teams in need of ownership transition, management succession, and / or growth support. We primarily focus on companies with revenue between $5 million and $80 million, and a cash flow between $1 million and $10 million. We consider a wide range of industries and look for companies with potential to build on past successes and open to new ideas.

Recent Transactions

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  • Sep 2014 Acquired Brushy Mountain Bee Farm
  • Sep 2013 Acquired Centare
  • Dec 2012 Acquired Bluff Manufacturing
  • Sep 2012 Acquired W.C. Rouse

Cyprium Investment Partners

11 Total Closed Deals Actively Sourcing Deals
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Cyprium Partners (Cyprium) is a private investment firm that makes non-control investments in profitable middle-market companies, allowing company owners and their management teams to retain controlling interest in their business after we invest. Cyprium can provide any combination of equity or subordinated debt giving us non-traditional flexibility in structuring transactions as well as increasing our certainty of close.Cyprium, through the experience of its partners as well as through its Advisory Council members, strives to be a value-added investor that supports the growth, acquisition,…

Recent Transactions

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  • Mar 2025 Invested in Willamette Valley Meat
  • Aug 2024 Invested in Washington Metal Fabricators
  • Dec 2023 Invested in Apollo
  • Dec 2023 Invested in Kustom

Tyree and D'Angelo Partners

11 Total Closed Deals Actively Sourcing Deals
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Tyree & D'Angelo Partners ("TDP") is a private equity investment firm that focuses on control investment opportunities in the lower middle market (companies with $1-$5M of EBITDA). We seek out investments in which we can establish true collaborative partnerships with business owners and management teams that will lead to a substantial creation of value over a long-term investment horizon. TDP relies on an extensive team comprised of Investment Partners, Executive Partners, and Advisory Partners to make investments, and focuses on opportunities in which our team of professionals can add…

Recent Transactions

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  • Aug 2023 Acquired Veterinarian Partners
  • Aug 2023 Acquired Thrive Physical Therapy Partners
  • Aug 2023 Acquired Superior Insurance Partners
  • Aug 2023 Acquired Star Dental Partners

Rising Point Capital Management, LLC

10 Total Closed Deals Actively Sourcing Deals
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We are a Chicago-based private investment firm that provides partnership and capital to transform and grow your business. We primarily invest in business and consumer services companies in the lower middle market.

Recent Transactions

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  • Jan 2025 Acquired Confidential Company
  • Nov 2024 Acquired Confidential Company
  • Oct 2024 Acquired Confidential Company
  • Aug 2024 Acquired JDS Inc

GVC Americas

6 Total Closed Deals Actively Sourcing Deals
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GVC Americas is a private equity firm established in 2021 by the co-founder and managing principal of Driehaus Private Equity, Eli Boufis. The firm is currently deploying capital from a $100mm fund. We support founders and owner-operators seeking capital for personal liquidity and growth. Our partners retain a significant ownership stake in their businesses and continue to play a vital leadership role.Our focus:Reinvesting excess cash flow to accelerate profitable growthUtilizing minimal to no debtConstructing meaningful employee incentive plans that align the organization and generate wealth…

Recent Transactions

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  • Aug 2023 Invested in Hawkes Learning Technology
  • Mar 2023 Invested in SxanPro
  • Jan 2023 Invested in Encore Medical Device Repair
  • Jul 2014 Invested in Force Management / Growth Play

5th Century Partners

5 Total Closed Deals Actively Sourcing Deals
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5th Century Partners (5CP) is a private equity firm that specializes in partnering with leaders in the healthcare and business services sectors. The firm is committed to driving growth and creating a lasting impact by providing hands-on support and strategic resources. With a focus on middle-market companies, 5CP emphasizes diversity and the integration of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria into its investment decision-making process. Headquartered in Chicago, the firm is dedicated to fostering partnerships that inspire transformation and deliver outsized financial outcomes.…

Recent Transactions

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  • Nov 2025 Acquired Confidential Company
  • Nov 2025 Acquired Confidential Company
  • Nov 2025 Acquired Confidential Company
  • Nov 2025 Acquired Confidential Company

Merit Capital Partners

5 Total Closed Deals Actively Sourcing Deals
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Merit Capital Partners is a private equity firm established in 1993, specializing in providing flexible capital solutions for management buyouts, recapitalizations, and acquisition financings. With a focus on mid-sized businesses, particularly in the manufacturing and service sectors, the firm targets companies with strong cash flow and a minimum of $20 million in revenue. Over the years, Merit Capital has managed over $2.7 billion in capital through seven institutionally sponsored limited partnerships. The firm is headquartered in Chicago and is known for its strategic investments and…

Recent Transactions

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  • Jan 2025 Acquired Carls Place
  • Aug 2024 Acquired Kish Holdco, LLC
  • Jan 2024 Acquired Circuit Check, Inc.
  • Dec 2023 Acquired AFX Lighting, Inc.

Kinzie Capital Partners

4 Total Closed Deals Actively Sourcing Deals
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Kinzie invests in lower middle market companies amidst transition in the manufactured products, consumer and business services industries. Whether a company is experiencing a generational shift, period of high growth or changes in business cycles, we seek opportunities to create lasting change in today’s disruptive environment by leveraging technology and a strong operational focus to eliminate inefficiencies and unlock new business opportunities.

Recent Transactions

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  • Feb 2024 Acquired Arctic Industries
  • Jan 2023 Acquired GT Golf Holdings, Inc
  • Sep 2020 Acquired Chelsea Lighting
  • Nov 2019 Acquired Colony Display

Frequently Asked Questions

How are Private Equity Funds in this directory ordered?

Firms in the Chicago Private Equity Funds directory are ordered based on recent deal activity on Axial. The default order reflects observed market signals rather than a subjective ranking of firm quality.

What information is included in each Private Equity Fund profile?

Each profile provides information about the firm’s areas of focus, transaction criteria, and relevant activity on Axial’s M&A platform. Together, these details provide a clearer view of where a firm is active and the types of companies and opportunities most relevant for it.

What company sizes are most common for Chicago Private Equity Funds?

Based on activity on Axial’s M&A platform, the core revenue range for Chicago Private Equity Funds is $6M-$26M, with a core EBITDA range of $1M-$5M. Company size can be an important indicator of fit, as firms often concentrate their experience, resources, and transaction activity within particular segments of the market.

How important is location when evaluating Private Equity Funds?

Location can be an important consideration, but it does not necessarily define where a firm is active. Firms based in Chicago may bring regional knowledge, local relationships, and experience with businesses in the area, while many also pursue opportunities across a broader geographic footprint. Geography is best considered alongside sector focus, company size, and relevant transaction activity.

Do all Private Equity Funds in this directory operate exclusively in Chicago?

Not necessarily. A firm’s location does not always define its geographic reach. Many Private Equity Funds based in Chicago are active across multiple regions, while firms based elsewhere may also participate in the Chicago market. Location can provide useful context, but it should not be interpreted as a firm’s geographic boundary.

How do I compare Private Equity Funds in Chicago?

When comparing Private Equity Funds in Chicago, consider factors such as sector focus, size range, and recent transaction activity. These characteristics vary across the 53 firms included in the directory and can help identify firms that align with your needs.

How do I connect with Chicago Private Equity Funds?

Axial can help you identify and connect with firms based on your objectives and what you are looking to accomplish. The process varies depending on your role and transaction needs. If you are interested in connecting with firms in the Chicago Private Equity Funds directory, you can request information here.

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