Dawson Partners
Private equityToronto · Growth–Late Stage · 85 people tracked
Also known as DAWSON PARTNERS (US) INC.
Investment thesis
Dawson Partners is a global alternative asset manager focused on the private equity secondaries market. The firm operates a series of large secondaries-focused funds (its PF series growing from a US$400M debut to over US$5B) alongside GP-led and equity-oriented vehicles. Its approach emphasizes integrity, transparency, partnership and performance, with an aim to align interests across all stakeholders. Recognized repeatedly by PE International as a leading secondaries and Canadian firm, Dawson has expanded internationally with a London office and built out distribution across private wealth and structured products.
Source: firm website, verified Aug 11, 2026.
Team · 85 people
from the firm's website
Fund performance · per public LP disclosures · 6
as of Dec 2025| Fund | Vintage | Committed | Net IRR | TVPI | DPI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dawson Portfolio Finance 6LPs: Minnesota State Board of Investment, Maryland State Retirement and Pension System | 2024 | — | 14.2% | 1.09x | 0.65x |
| Dawson Partners (Independence), L.P.LPs: Pennsylvania Public School Employees' Retirement System | 2023 | — | 11.4% | 1.20x | 0.49x |
| Dawson Portfolio Finance 5LPs: Minnesota State Board of Investment, Maryland State Retirement and Pension System | 2021 | — | 9.2% | 1.15x | 0.48x |
| Dawson Portfolio Finance 4LPs: Minnesota State Board of Investment, Maryland State Retirement and Pension System | 2020 | — | 9.6% | 1.21x | 0.72x |
| Dawson Partners (Empire), LPLPs: Empire State Development – New York Ventures | 2019 | — | — | 3.49x | 0.05x |
| Dawson Portfolio Finance 3LPs: Minnesota State Board of Investment, Maryland State Retirement and Pension System | 2019 | — | 12.5% | 1.32x | 0.99x |
Source: public limited-partner disclosures (CalPERS, CalSTRS). Net IRR / TVPI / DPI as reported by the limited partner; a fund's early-year IRR is an interim estimate (J-curve).
Frequently asked questions
- What stage does Dawson Partners invest at?
- Dawson Partners invests at the Growth, Late Stage stages.
- What sectors does Dawson Partners focus on?
- Dawson Partners focuses on Advanced Manufacturing, Consumer, Healthtech.
- Where is Dawson Partners located?
- Dawson Partners is headquartered in Toronto, CA.
Media · Podcasts & interviews
featuring the teamPE Sn Francisco 2025: Yann Robard of Dawson Partners Spoke to Courtney McQuade
Markets Group · Yann Robard
Scaling and Innovating in Secondaries with Dawson Partners’ Yann Robard
Proskauer · Yann Robard
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