Reminder! Nominations are now being accepted for the 2023 IVCA Awards! Deadline is September 15th

September 6, 2023

IVCA is now accepting nominations for the 2023 IVCA Awardees to be honored at the 2023 IVCA Awards Dinner presented by Kirkland & Ellis LLP, on December 4, 2023.

YOU are our best source for these companies and individuals so we ask you to submit/recommend your candidate(s) by Friday, September 15, 2023.  Details and submission forms can be found below.

Download any or all Nomination forms HERE.

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

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.

Criteria for the award are:

• 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

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

2023 IVCA VENTURE CAPITAL Portfolio Company of the Year Award

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

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

2023 IVCA PRIVATE EQUITY Portfolio Company of the Year Award

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

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

Download any or all Nomination forms HERE.

Previous Stanley C. Golder 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

Previous Richard J. Daley Awardees:

• 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

Previous IVCA Fellows Awardees:

• 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.

Previous Portfolio Companies of the Year Awardees:

• 2022 AIM Clinics
• 2022 TPC
• 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)

We look forward to hearing from you!