Relive the Celebration: 25 Years of IVCA Impact & Award Winners

December 16, 2025

Celebrating 25 Years of IVCA Excellence!
The IVCA Annual Awards Dinner marked a milestone—25 years of impact on Illinois’ private equity and venture capital ecosystem. Thank you to our members, sponsors, and guests for making this celebration unforgettable!

Event Highlights

✔ 410 attendees
✔ 150+ firms represented
✔ Special remarks from Governor JB Pritzker, a founding IVCA board member. See remarks HERE!
✔ Honored to welcome Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs and other legislative guests

By the Numbers: IVCA’s Impact

Illinois now ranks 5th nationally for private equity investment, up from 8th in 2011
IVCA members have backed 900 Illinois-headquartered companies, employing 370,000 people
$129 billion in capital raised by those companies since 2000

2025 Award Recipients

Venture Capital Portfolio Company of the Year: Simple Mills
Private Equity Portfolio Company of the Year: Door and Window Guard Systems (DAWGS)
Rising Star Award: M25
Richard J. Daley Award: Bruce Barron, Origin Ventures
Stanley C. Golder Award: Robert P. Morgan, 50 South Capital
IVCA Foundation Award: Shoshana Vernick, Avathon Capital

View Event Photos HERE !

View Event Videos:

Explore the IVCA 25th Anniversary Program Book HERE!

Our program book is now available online This resource will continue to grow throughout 2026 as we continue to celebrate our anniversary year.

Thank You to Our Sponsors

Presenting Sponsor: Kirkland & Ellis
Cocktail Reception Sponsor: White & Case
Dessert Reception Sponsor: Aprio
Wine Sponsor: The Vistria Group
Platinum Sponsor: Greenberg Traurig, LLP
Program’s Back Cover Sponsor: MK Capital
Coat Check Sponsor: OceanM19

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