Sterling Partners
Private equityChicago · Growth · 25 people tracked
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Investment thesis
Sterling Partners operates as a multi-strategy investment management platform spanning private equity, public equity, quantitative investments, and real estate. It invests in companies at various stages of growth across many industries, taking majority, minority, preferred equity, and debt positions. The firm emphasizes an entrepreneurial, hands-on approach while offering the infrastructure, expertise, and capital of an established institutional financial services firm. It also backs investment teams, providing them with financial, strategic, and operational support.
Source: firm website, verified Oct 2, 2026.
Team · 25 people
from the firm's website & public directoriesFounder mafia
5 people who came through Sterling Partners went on to found or lead other companies.
What they invest in
from 13 of 22 portfolio companiesEdTech ×6Healthtech ×4Consumer ×3FoodTech ×3Digital Health ×2Medical Devices ×2SaaS ×2AI & Machine Learning ×1
HQs:United States×8
Investments · 22 tracked
founders shown can be your intro pathCerebro Capital provides a technology-enabled platform for commercial lending that connects businesses with lenders to simplify and accelerate the business loan process.
B2B MarketplacesEnterprise SoftwareFintechSaaSBaltimore, US
Matthew Bjonerud(Founder & CEO)inKevin Dieter(Executive Officer)
BoardJames McGuire(Director)Douglas Becker(Director)Steve Reale(Director)in
Co-investorsFINTOP CapitalInner Loop CapitalMaryland TEDCOTCP Venture CapitalTEDCOUlu Ventures+2 more
Cintana Education partners with universities worldwide to launch and transform them, providing access to Arizona State University course content, faculty lectures, study abroad programs, and joint research.
EdTech
EyeCare Partners operates a network of over 1,000 eye care providers across the United States, offering a full continuum of vision care services including ophthalmology and optometry.
HealthtechMedical Devices
Chris Throckmorton(Chief Executive Officer)inAntonio Capone Jr.(Chief Clinical Officer)in
Co-investorsFFL Partners
Fancy Sprinkles is a lifestyle brand founded in 2016 that sells decorative sprinkles and baking products, drawing on pop culture and trends.
ConsumerDirect to ConsumerFoodTech
Lisa Stelly(Founder & Chief Creative Officer)
Forbidden Root is a botanical brewery and restaurant in Chicago that produces naturally brewed beverages and offers a dine-in food experience.
ConsumerFoodTechChicago, US
Hudson Global Scholars supplies curriculum, technology, and U.S.-based teaching to partner schools so they can offer international programs, including an American High School Diploma, AP courses, and English language instruction.
EdTech
InGenius Prep is a college admissions consulting company that pairs students with former admissions officers and graduate coaches to guide them through undergraduate and graduate application processes, including candidacy building, academic mentorship, tutoring, test prep, and application review.
EdTech
Keypath Education is a global EdTech company that partners with universities to build and deliver market-led online higher education programs, with a strong focus on healthcare and clinical placements.
EdTechHealthtechSaaS
Lecturio provides an AI-augmented, all-in-one medical study platform combining video lectures, question banks, simulations, and clinical reasoning tools for medical and nursing students, healthcare professionals, and institutions such as universities, hospitals, and health systems.
AI & Machine LearningDigital HealthEdTech
Co-investorsSeventure PartnersHoltzbrinck Digital GmbHHoltzbrinck Ventures
Platinum Dermatology Partners operates a network of dermatopathology laboratories that provide diagnostic services to dermatologists within its network.
Digital HealthHealthtechMedical Devices
Michael Dewey(CEO)Tony Petelin, MD(President and COO)
Co-investorsSun Capital Partners
Shorelight partners with top-ranked US universities to help international students through the full study-abroad journey, including school selection, admissions, F-1 visa support, campus transition, and career development.
EdTech
SusieCakes is a bakery brand built on traditional, home-style recipes passed down from the founder's grandmothers, offering fresh-baked cakes and treats.
ConsumerFoodTech
Upstream Rehabilitation operates a network of over 1,200 outpatient physical therapy clinics across 28 U.S. states, providing patient rehabilitation care.
HealthtechWellness & Fitness
David Van Name(Founder & Senior Advisor)
Co-investorsRevelstoke Capital PartnersWP Global Partners
Other
Tracked investments with no reachable website or further public details — typically companies that wound down, renamed, or were absorbed.
Black Rifle Coffee CompanyBrant Point BuildingEscape StudiosHealth Careers International Hci AustraliaOpenclassroomsSpartan College Aeronautics TechnologyStationheadStella Center
Portfolio news
latest coverage across their companiesFrequently asked questions
- How many investments has Sterling Partners made?
- Sterling Partners has 22 tracked investments.
- What stage does Sterling Partners invest at?
- Sterling Partners invests at the Growth stage.
- What sectors does Sterling Partners focus on?
- Sterling Partners focuses on EdTech, Enterprise Software, Healthtech, Sector Agnostic.
- Where is Sterling Partners located?
- Sterling Partners is headquartered in Chicago, US.
- Does Sterling Partners lead rounds?
- Yes, Sterling Partners leads investment rounds.
- Who does Sterling Partners co-invest with?
- Sterling Partners most often shares deals with FINTOP Capital, Inner Loop Capital, Maryland TEDCO, among 11 tracked co-investors.
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