IN THENEWS

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 and through the biweekly newsletter and profiles.

In one more look at 2025, here are the best quotes and perspectives from those various articles, including quotes from the honorees of the recent IVCA Awards Dinner …

“Diverse teams win. They bring different perspectives, understand a wider range of customers, and ultimately build better products. We are a team of unique individuals from all walks of life and all corners of the globe. Our passions bleed into the work we do every day – as investors, strategists, operators, and entrepreneurs. We’ve seen firsthand how fostering a sense of community and belonging opens doors to conversations that facilitate real change.”

~ Jim Dallke for New Member TechNexus Venture Collective

“An important part of our new strategic plan is centered around expanding relationships. I am working to expand IVCA’s reach by cultivating relationships with institutional and family investors. These efforts have included developing programming to educate investors about Venture Capital and Private Equity opportunities while facilitating introductions to our members. One successful event has already demonstrated the impact of this work, linking new LPs to IVCA and showcasing the important initiatives of the IVCA Scholars Program and the IVCA Foundation.”

~ Christie Pruyn Executive Director of the IVCA

“That’s what stood out to me about IVCA. It wasn’t just about getting placed at a firm. It was about being part of a bigger experience that included exposure to different corners of the industry, thoughtful programming, and a community that genuinely cares about helping students figure out where they fit. The chance to work at firms like ParkerGale felt like exactly what I was hoping for. I had heard from past scholars that the program gave interns real responsibility and treated them as part of the team, which made me feel like this could be the kind of challenge I was looking for.

Looking back, I’m incredibly grateful I took the leap and applied. IVCA gave me the structure, support, and real-world exposure to explore investing in a way that felt both challenging and rewarding. It’s shaped how I think about my path going forward and made me even more excited about where it might lead.”

~ Fiona Charlton, IVCA Scholar

“The American Investment Council (AIC) has made enormous progress in educating members of Congress and federal regulators, but the AIC could be even more effective if EVERY firm were to become a member and add its own examples to the positive stories the AIC draws on to change inaccurate perceptions.

Making those relationships known to the AIC can be very helpful as well. It also should be noted that some federal legislative proposals that don’t get adopted by Congress make their way to the states, where they can become state legislative initiatives. That’s why it’s so important to support and be active in the work of the IVCA. The IVCA and its PAC program have been highly effective in educating our state legislators about the important role Private Equity and Venture Capital play in the Illinois economy and avoiding harmful legislation at the state level.”

~ Lee M. Mitchell Managing Director/Partner at Thoma Bravo, previewing ‘A Fireside Chat with the American Investment Council (AIC)’

“Illinois has the combination early-stage investors look for … a deep and diverse talent pool, world-class universities, a strong base of corporate innovation partners and a history of producing massive tech unicorns. Chicago has become the largest Midwest hub where founders can access capital, talent and customers without the cost barriers of the coasts. For M25, Illinois has consistently produced founders who are both ambitious and resourceful, aligning closely with our core philosophy of backing operators in overlooked markets.”

~ Victor Gutwein Managing Partner at M25, the IVCA Rising Star Award Recipient at the 2025 IVCA Awards Dinner

“NextGen Growth Partners empowered our team, supported us and even respectfully disagreed with us at times. The also supported our vision, and pushed us to make data-driven decisions – all while staying engaged and aligned with our mission. From acquisition to exit they were steady, supportive, and committed to us building long-term value. The successful sale in the spring was the realization of that collaboration.”

~ Nick Oberhouse of Door & Window Guard Systems (DAWGS), the Private Equity Portfolio Company of the Year at the 2025 IVCA Awards Dinner

“It’s an incredible honor to be recognized by the IVCA and our peers in the VC community. This award is deeply meaningful because it acknowledges the hard work, perseverance, and dedication our team has poured into growing this business and realizing our mission. It’s also a validation of our approach … that purpose and performance can go hand in hand. This recognition not only celebrates our past efforts, but also strengthens our credibility in the industry, deepens investor and partner relationships, and energizes our team as we continue to build for the future.”

~ Simple Mills, the Venture Capital Portfolio Company of the Year at the 2025 IVCA Awards Dinner

“I’ve already disclosed that I’m a lifelong golfer and have learned so much from the sport, and received so much back. Golf has been a passion and a privilege as an adult as well, providing opportunities to see some of the most beautiful vistas, walk the fairway with incredibly interesting people and observe the unspoken integrity and actions of other players. It has been a way to deepen relationships and create shared experiences.”

~ Shoshana Vernick Co-Founder/Managing Director of Avathon Capital, Facilitator of the IVCA Foundation Golf Invitational, and the Recipient of the IVCA Foundation Award at the 2025 IVCA Awards Dinner

“I believe we all have a responsibility to give back and to help society. These are important lessons that I learned from [my co-founding partner, Steve Miller and his father, Harvey Miller] and have followed.  By doing so, my life has been greatly enriched. I am hopeful that my philanthropic endeavors have benefitted people as much as I have benefitted through my involvement and support of these causes.

I encourage young members of our community to find causes that you are passionate about and to donate your time and efforts to these causes to help make the world a better place. I trust that you will find, as I did, that you will benefit from your efforts as much as, if not more than, the charities.”

~ Bruce N. Barron Founding Partner at Origin Ventures, and the Recipient of the Richard J. Daley Award at the 2025 IVCA Awards Dinner

“I’m not sure people really understand how much value the Private Equity community receives from the efforts of organizations like the IVCA. Something that hits close to home for 50 South Capital is that we are fortunate enough to advise the State Treasurer on the Illinois Growth and Innovation Fund. This is a program that the IVCA was instrumental in creating way back in 2004. 

This program has led to nearly $1 billion being invested into Venture Capital and buyout funds in Illinois, which in turn encourages growth and employment. I think this is just one of many programs that the IVCA has been instrumental in creating that accrues to the benefit of the entire Private Equity ecosystem and Illinois.”

~ Robert P. Morgan Managing Director at 50 South Capital, and the Recipient of the Stanley Golder Award at the 2025 IVCA Awards Dinner

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