The Evolution of Adams Street Partners

One of the most experienced and respected private markets firms in the industry today

Cool Timeline

2022

50 Years in Private Markets

Adams Street is celebrating 50 years in private markets. We want to thank our clients and industry partners around the world for their trust and for recognizing us as a global leader in private markets.

2021

Opened Austin Office

“Austin has become a vibrant entrepreneurial hub and it serves as a base-camp for many of America’s fastest-growing companies. Austin also possesses a deep and growing pool of skilled technology, venture capital, and private equity talent. We are excited about our new office bringing us closer to this innovative and dynamic ecosystem.” — Jeff Diehl, Managing Partner & Head of Investments

2017

Opened Munich and Seoul Offices

“Being ‘on the ground’ in Munich enables us to provide our clients with a geographically relevant perspective on private markets.” — Jeff Diehl, Managing Partner & Head of Investments

“This expansion [in Seoul] allows us to remain steadfastly focused on the needs of our increasingly global client base.” — Kevin O’Donnell, Partner & Global Head of Investor Relations

2016

Opened New York and Boston Offices; Established Dedicated Private Credit Team

The same year that New York and Boston offices opened their doors, Adams Street launched a Private Credit Strategy.

“As we develop the private credit practice, we plan to build on the firm’s pre-existing deep relationships with private equity sponsors and provide the industry with a fully integrated ‘one stop’ credit solution.” — Bill Sacher, Partner & Head of Private Credit

See our latest Private Credit transactions

2014

Opened Tokyo Office

“We welcomed our first Japanese LP in 1998, which was very early relative to the overall Japanese LP market. Most recently, we opened the Tokyo office in 2014 in an effort to service our existing Japanese investor base… Japan is an important market for Adams Street and I expect that to grow over time.” — Jeff Diehl, Managing Partner & Head of Investments

2011

Opened Beijing Office

Opening an office in Beijing in 2011 was vital to Adams Street’s long-term commitment to the region. Adams Street believes in investing locally, thinking globally, and having boots on the ground.

2009

First Commitment to Latin America

2006

Menlo Park and Singapore Offices Opened

Adams Street Partners opened an office in Menlo Park with investment staff from both our direct and primary investment teams. We opened a Singapore office as private equity investment opportunities increased in Asia.

2005

First Commitment to China

2004

First Commitment to India

2001

Became Employee-Owned and 100% Independent

“As an independent entity, Adams Street Partners provides us more flexibility and operational efficiency in structuring our investment vehicles, and, at the same time ensures that clients will continue to receive the benefits that we believe have set us apart from our competitors. These include: attractive value-added investment performance for nearly three decades, extremely knowledgeable investment and client service professionals, and access to quality private equity information and deal flow.” — T. Bondurant French, CFA, Chairman, Board of Directors

2000

Inducted into Private Equity Hall of Fame

“We are deeply honored to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. It has been a great privilege for us to play a part in the private equity industry’s growth and maturation over the last 28 years. We are deeply appreciative of our clients and consultants who believed in the concept of the private equity asset class, particularly in the early days; and, of course, are deeply appreciative of the general partners and portfolio company management teams who have worked so hard, so creatively, and so successfully over the last 28 years delivering outstanding investment performance for us as investors.” — T. Bondurant French, CFA, Chairman, Board of Directors

1999

Began Dedicated Research in Asia

Our approach to investing in Asia was to be patient, disciplined and selective. We made our first investment in Asia in 2004 after five years of research and visits with over 150 general partners.

1997

London Office Opened and International Investing Program

In 1997 we opened our London office to launch our international investing program. Today, Adams Street Partners has 11 locations around the world, with investments across more than 30 nations.

1995

Joined Swiss Bank

Brinson Partners, Inc. joined Swiss Bank Corporation, which subsequently became UBS AG.

1992

AIMR/CFA Performance Guidelines

Helped establish AIMR/CFA performance guidelines for the industry

1989

Brinson Partners Inc. Formed; Commenced Co-Investing

First Chicago Investment Advisors spun out of First National Bank of Chicago in 1989 to form Brinson Partners, Inc. Today, Adams Street Partners — still headquartered in Chicago — is one of the most visible and respected names in private markets.

The same year that Brinson Partners Inc. was formed, Adams Street began co-investing.

1988

Industry’s First Dedicated Secondary Funds; Development of Private Equity Industry Valuation Guidelines

Adams Street established one of the industry’s first dedicated secondary funds.

Additionally, Adams Street played an integral role in the creation of valuation guidelines for the private equity industry.

1986

First Secondary Investment

Since 1986 Adams Street has been a successful, discreet, and respected secondary investor, adhering to a philosophy of disciplined portfolio construction and selective investment decisions.

Learn more about Adams Street’s Secondary Investments

1985

First Industry Benchmarks

Established the first industry benchmarks with Thomson Reuters

1984

First Separate Account

Since 1984, we have been selectively managing a range of discretionary and non-discretionary separate accounts, focusing strategically where Adams Street can bring differentiated service to our clients.

Learn more about the benefits of Adams Street’s Custom Solutions

1979

Industry’s First Fund of Funds

The same advisor team that founded Adams Street formed the industry’s first venture capital fund-of-funds.

1972

Adams Street is Founded

In 1972, a small team of professionals at First National Bank of Chicago began making direct private investments for a select group of institutional clients. Soon, First Chicago Investment Advisors (now Adams Street Partners) was investing in start-ups alongside many of the earliest venture capital firms. Learn more about our firm

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50 Years & Forward

Five Decades of Private Markets Experience