Featured Event

IVCA Annual Awards Dinner
presented by Kirkland & Ellis LLP
December 4, 2023

Each year the IVCA celebrates our industry with the Annual IVCA Awards Dinner to honor individual members and outstanding companies from the IL private equity/venture capital community. Join more than 400 of our colleagues in celebration!

The 22nd Annual Awards Dinner will be held on Monday, December 4th at the Four Seasons Chicago, 120 E. Delaware Place.

Awards to be presented this year are:

  • 2023 Stanley C. Golder Award
  • 2023 Richard J. Daley Award
  • 2023 Fellows Award
  • 2023 IVCA Venture Capital Portfolio Company of the Year Award
  • 2023 IVCA Private Equity Portfolio Company of the Year Award

And, we also say our IVCA goodbye to Maura O’Hara as she retires at the end of this year.

Schedule for event:

5:30pm - Cocktail Reception sponsored by White & Case LLP

6:30pm – Dinner and Awards Program

8:00pm – Dessert Reception

We thank this year’s:

Presenting Sponsor:  Kirkland & Ellis LLP
Cocktail Reception Sponsor:
White & Case LLP

Tables and tickets will go on sale at a later date. Please check back for updates!

SPONSORSHIPS ARE AVAILABLE!

Dessert Reception Sponsor (1)
$15,000

Please contact Kathy Pyne at kpyne@illinoisvc.org if you are interested!

Benefits include:

  • One table at the Dinner (each table seats 10 people); good location relative to stage
  • Recognition on IVCA-provided event signage
  • Recognition in the evening's A/V presentation
  • Recognition on website
  • Full-page ad in event program
  • Our photographer will be available for head shots for anyone from your firm.
  • Your Firm’s logo will run exclusively on the monitors at Reception during the Dessert reception
  • IVCA-provided table tents with your Firm’s logo will be placed on high tops and bars at Dessert reception
  • Recognition on IVCA-provided event signage as Dessert Reception Sponsor
  • Recognition on evening’s A/V presentation as Dessert Reception Sponsor
  • Recognition on website as Dessert Reception Sponsor
  • All signage will be provided by IVCA to ensure consistent event branding.

Secure your sponsorship for the 2023 Awards Dinner by contacting Kathy Pyne at kpyne@illinoisvc.org.

IVCA is now accepting nominations for the following Awards:

2023 Stanley C. Golder Award

The Stanley C. Golder Award was created in honor of Stanley C. Golder, a founder of the private equity industry in Illinois. The Golder Award honors individuals who have made profound and lasting contributions to the private equity industry in Illinois.

Characteristics of a nominee for this award are:

  • Is a recognized leader in venture/private equity investing
  • Has a strong track record of investment results
  • A person who demonstrates the highest ethical standards on both a personal and professional level
  • A history of achievements that reflect high standards for him/herself and others

Download Nomination form here

2023 Richard J. Daley Award

The Richard J. Daley Award acknowledges a single individual who has given direct and extraordinary support to the State of Illinois by participating in or being an advocate for the venture capital and private equity industry.

  • Has directed significant effort toward improving our city, our state and the country.

  • A person who demonstrates the highest ethical standards on both a personal and professional level.

  • Has participated in the venture/private equity industry as an investor, service provider or academic

Download Nomination form here

2023 IVCA Fellows Award

The IVCA Fellows Award recognizes individuals for their outstanding contributions to the private equity profession and to the Illinois Venture Capital Association.

Criteria for the award are:

  • Has recognizable accomplishments working with IVCA in its mission of advocating, educating and promoting for VC/PE in Illinois.

  • A person who demonstrates the highest ethical standards on both a personal and professional level.

  • Has participated in the venture/private equity industry as an investor, service provider or academic

Download Nomination form here

2023 IVCA VENTURE CAPITAL Portfolio Company of the Year Award

The Venture Capital Portfolio Company of the Year is awarded to an Illinois company that:

  • was Venture Capital backed

  • had a realized liquidity event in 2022 or 2023

  • the exit was successful for investors 

Download VC Nomination form here

2023 IVCA PRIVATE EQUITY Portfolio Company of the Year Award

The Private Equity Portfolio Company of the Year is awarded to an Illinois company that:

  • was Private Equity backed
  • had a realized liquidity event in 2022 or 2023
  • the exit was successful for investors 

Download PE Nomination form here

Previous Awardees

  • 2022: Stephen V. King, Prairie Capital
  • 2020: Glen Tullman, 7wireVentures
  • 2019: Keith L. Crandell, ARCH Venture Partners
  • 2017: John A. Hatherly, Wynnchurch Capital
  • 2016: Paul J. Carbone, Pritzker Group Private Capital
  • 2015: Peter J. Barris, New Enterprise Associates
  • 2013: Theodore L. Koenig, Monroe Capital
  • 2012: T. Bondurant French, Adams Street Partners
  • 2011: Brian P. Simmons, CHS Capital
  • 2010: Lester B. Knight, RoundTable Healthcare Partners
  • 2009: Bryan Cressey, Cressey & Company
  • John L. Hines, President (Retired) Continental Illinois Venture Corporation,
  • Continental Illinois Equity Corporation
  • 2008: Kevin R. Evanich, Kirkland & Ellis LLP
  • 2007: Samuel B. Guren, Guren Capital Management, LLC
  • 2006: Paul J.Finnegan, Madison Dearborn Partners
  • Samuel M. Mencoff, Madison Dearborn Partners
  • 2005: Gary P. Brinson, GP Brinson Investments
  • 2004: Ned Heizer, Jr.
  • 2003: Bret R. Maxwell, MK Capital
  • 2002: Carl D. Thoma, Thoma Cressey Equity Partners
  • 2021: Linda L. Darragh, Kellogg School of Management Emerita
  • 2019: F. Oliver Nicklin, First Analysis
  • 2018: Christopher B. Galvin
  • 2017: Howard A. Tullman, 1871
  • 2016: Ellen A. Rudnick, Polsky Center, Chicago Booth
  • 2015: Warren E. Holtsberg, MVC Capital
  • 2014: Steven N. Miller, Origin Ventures
  • 2013: James J. O’Connor, Jr., MVC Capital
  • 2012: James A. Johnson, Apex Venture Partners
  • 2011: Scott F. Meadow, University of Chicago Booth School of Business
  • 2010: Robert L. Fealy, Duchossois Technology Partners
  • 2009: J.B. Pritzker, The Pritzker Group, New World Ventures
  • 2008: Richard L. Thomas, First Chicago NBD Corporation
  • 2007: Steven N. Kaplan, University of Chicago GSB
  • 2006: Donald W. Phillips, WP Global Partners
  • 2005: Norman R. Bobins, LaSalle Bank N.A.
  • 2004: James C. Tyree, Mesirow Financial
  • 2003: Bruce V. Rauner, GTCR Golder Rauner, LLC
  • 2002: Martin J. Koldyke, Frontenac Company
  • 2021: Rocco J. Martino, OceanM19
  • 2020: Tony Palcheck, Zebra Ventures
  • 2018: Walter C. Florence, Frontenac
  • 2015: Lee M. Mitchell, Thoma Bravo
  • 2014: Darren M. Snyder, Prairie Capital
  • 2013: James F. Dugan, OCA Ventures
  • 2012: James P. TenBroek, Wind Point Partners
  • 2010: Mark Glennon, Ninth Street Advisors
  • 2009: Danny Rosenberg, Sterling Partners
  • 2008: Keith L. Crandell, ARCH Venture Partners
  • 2007: John R. Willis, Willis Stein & Partners
  • 2006: Keith D. Bank, KB Partners
  • 2005: Robert Finkel, Prism Capital
  • 2004: Stephen S. Beitler, Dunrath Capital
  • Bob Geras, LaSalle Investments
  • 2003: Ellen Carnahan, William Blair Capital Partners
  • Steven Lazarus, ARCH Venture Partners
  • 2002: Jack S. Levin, Kirkland & Ellis
  • T. Bondurant French, Adams Street Partners
  • John A. Canning, Jr., Madison Street Partners Inc.
  • 2022 AIM Clinics (Venture backed)
  • 2022 TPC (Private equity backed)
  • 2021 Factor (Venture backed)
  • 2021 Option Care (Private equity backed)
  • 2020 Sprout Social (Venture backed)
  • 2019 Livongo (Venture backed)
  • 2019 Evans Food Group (Prvate Equity backed)
  • 2018 Aptinyx (Venture backed)
  • 2018 The Stepping Stones Group (Private equity backed)
  • 2017 Naurex (Venture backed)
  • 2017 Kronos Foods Corp. (Private equity backed)
  • 2016 Cleversafe (Venture backed)
  • 2016 Sage Products (Private equity backed)
  • 2015 Paylocity (Venture backed)
  • 2015 Sterigenics International (Private equity backed)
  • 2014 GrubHub (Venture backed)
  • 2014 Fieldglass (Private equity backed)
  • 2013 Gogo (Venture backed)
  • 2013 Actient Pharmaceuticals (Private equity backed)
  • 2012 SurePayroll (Venture backed)
  • 2012 Flexera Software (Private equity backed)
  • 2011 Accretive Health (Venture backed)
  • 2011 Great Kitchens (Private equity backed)
  • 2010 Initiate Systems, Inc. (Venture backed)
  • 2010 Ovation Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Private equity backed)