Overview

From 1982 until 2006, William Blair Capital Partners (WBCP) was the private equity group of William Blair & Company. WBCP had invested nearly $1 billion in more than 140 portfolio companies throughout the United States. The last fund raised and managed was William Blair Capital Partners Fund VII, which is fully invested.

Currently, the private capital activities of the firm are focused on Private Placements, PIPES (Private Investment in Public Equity Securities), and investment of funds provided by partners of the firm.

In October 2008 , William Blair & Company hosted its 11th Annual Private Equity Conference in Chicago. The format brings together private-equity investors and entrepreneurial management teams at companies looking for capital. In 2008, a record 60 companies presented their growth strategies and capital needs to an audience of more than 400 private-equity investors. In addition, industry trends were presented by research analysts in the business services, consumer and retail, financial services, and technology sectors.

During a year like 2008, when investors were cautiously sitting on the sidelines and quality companies have difficulty accessing capital, William Blair & Company’s role in helping match promising growth companies with investors is significantly valued.