Posts by Kathy Pyne

Happy New Year 2026 to the membership of the IVCA. As we keep moving through the years, the VC and PE industries continue their unprecedented investment and success. Simultaneously, the IVCA will continue in their mission to represent the VC/PE community and their support organizations and update the membership throughout the year on the website…

Help us spread the word to undergraduate students across Illinois and Midwest. This is an incredible opportunity for students to gain hands-on exposure and build industry connections. Application Deadline: January 30, 2026 More information can be found HERE.

This summer, we are inviting firms to join us in hosting a 2026 IVCA Scholar – help play a direct role in developing Illinois’ emerging leaders in private equity and venture capital. The IVCA Scholar Program connects high-potential Illinois-based undergraduate students from underrepresented backgrounds with meaningful, hands-on experience at Private Equity and Venture Capital firms.…

IVCA Illinois Legislative ReportDavid Stricklin, IVCA Legislative Liaison, Stricklin & Associates LEGISLATURE READIES FOR RETURN TO SESSION The Illinois General Assembly begins its work in 2026 with the Senate in session next week and the House the week following. Much of the activity in January will be organizational and preparatory when Governor Pritzker delivers his…

SIGMA acquires manufacturer and supplier of waterworks castings and polymer enclosures Cream Ridge, N.J., January 7, 2026 – Sigma Companies International Corp. (“SIGMA”), a portfolio company of Wind Point Partners (“Wind Point”) and leading manufacturer and supplier of critical waterworks infrastructure products, has acquired Masonry Supply, Inc. (“MSI”) and its associated Tricast-branded product line.  Based…

New Partnership Leverages PPC’s Experience in the Food Manufacturing and Private Label Sector CHICAGO – (January 6, 2026) – PPC, a leading family investment firm focused on partnering with family, founder and management-owned businesses, today announced the acquisition of NaturPak. NaturPak manufactures and packages a broad portfolio of bone broths, soups, sauces, and wet pet food,…

Effective January 1, 2026, the Illinois Venture Capital Association (IVCA) is pleased to announce its Board and Executive Committee leadership for the year ahead. Ira Weiss, Partner at Hyde Park Venture Partners, The University of Chicago Booth School of Business, has assumed the role of Board Chair, and Shoshana Vernick, Managing Partner at Avathon Capital,…

IVCA Illinois Legislative ReportDavid Stricklin, IVCA Legislative Liaison, Stricklin & Associates LANDMARK TRANSIT PLAN BECOMES LAW Governor Pritzker and legislative leaders yesterday celebrated signing into law the mass transit reform and funding package passed during the veto session. The bill was initially to be funded by a grab-bag of taxes including a “billionaires” tax on…