# Adams Street Partners

> Adams Street Partners is an employee-owned, Chicago-based private markets investment manager that pioneered the private-equity fund-of-funds in 1979 and now runs roughly $73 billion across primary, secondary, co-investment, growth equity and private credit strategies for institutions and wealth clients in more than 30 countries.

- **Founded:** 1972
- **Headquarters:** Chicago, Illinois, United States
- **Founders:** First National Bank of Chicago (growth equity division) (Originating institution (1972))
- **Team size:** Approximately 440 employees (300+ investment and firm professionals across 15 global offices)
- **Products:** Primary Investments (Fund-of-Funds), Secondary Investments, Co-Investments, Venture Capital & Growth Equity, Private Credit
- **Notable:** Created the first private equity fund-of-funds in 1979, Established one of the industry's first dedicated secondary funds (1986), Became 100% employee-owned in 2008

## Products & services

- **Primary Investments (Fund-of-Funds)** — Commitments to top-tier private equity, venture capital and growth-equity funds globally - the strategy Adams Street pioneered in 1979.
- **Secondary Investments** — LP-led and GP-led secondary transactions purchasing private markets positions, one of the industry's first dedicated secondary programs.
- **Co-Investments** — Direct equity investments alongside the firm's established general partner relationships across buyout and growth.
- **Venture Capital & Growth Equity** — Direct and fund exposure to venture and growth companies in software, fintech, healthcare and consumer internet.
- **Private Credit** — Private credit strategies including direct lending and middle-market financing, launched to complement the equity platform.
- **Customized Separate Accounts** — Bespoke private markets portfolios and single-strategy vehicles built to an institution's objectives.

## Achievements

- Created the first private equity fund-of-funds in 1979
- Established one of the industry's first dedicated secondary funds (1986)
- Became 100% employee-owned in 2008
- Grew to roughly $73 billion in assets under management
- Operates 15 offices across North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific with investments in 30+ nations
- More than 50 years of private markets track record and proprietary performance data

## Latest updates

- **2026-04** — Reported the most recent capital-raising activity across its fund and separate-account platform.
- **2025-12** — Assets under management reported at approximately $73 billion following an updated AUM methodology.
- **2025-03** — Published its 2025 Global Investor Survey, signaling institutional optimism toward private markets.

## Links

- Website: https://www.adamsstreetpartners.com
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/adams-street-partners
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/pages/Adams-Street-Partners/159699200717108

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Last updated: 2026-08-15