Adams Street Partners

Adams Street Partners is a prominent global private markets investment management firm with a rich history dating back to 1972. Headquartered in Chicago, the firm has established itself as a significant player across various private market strategies, including primary and secondary fund commitments, co-investments, direct growth equity, and private credit. As of December 31, 2023, Adams Street Partners manages an impressive portfolio exceeding $58 billion in assets under management (AUM), underscoring its substantial presence and influence in the global private capital landscape. Their extensive global footprint, with offices spanning North America, Europe, and Asia, enables them to identify and capitalize on diverse investment opportunities worldwide.

The firm's multi-faceted investment approach allows it to engage with the private markets ecosystem from several angles. As a leading investor in primary funds, Adams Street commits capital to top-tier private equity funds globally, building diversified portfolios across various stages and geographies. They are also highly active in the secondary market, providing liquidity solutions to limited partners and general partners by acquiring existing private equity fund interests. Furthermore, their co-investment strategy involves direct participation alongside general partners in specific portfolio companies, leveraging their deep industry insights and relationships.

Within their direct investment capabilities, Adams Street Partners' Growth Equity team is particularly notable. This team focuses on investing directly in high-growth companies, typically leading or co-leading funding rounds. For these direct growth equity investments, Adams Street typically deploys initial cheques ranging from $20 million to $100 million, targeting businesses with proven models and significant scaling potential. This direct investment arm complements their broader fund-of-funds and secondary activities, allowing them to capture value across different points of the private market lifecycle and provide strategic support to portfolio companies.