Reflecting on the past four decades, Sterling Partners explores the entrepreneurial essence that underlies the firm’s diverse industry investments.
CHICAGO, December 19, 2023 – Sterling Partners (“Sterling”), a Chicago-based investment management firm, celebrated four decades of “inspired growth” in 2023. To date, Sterling has closed over 120 deals and deployed over $5.5 billion in capital. The firm has a long list of successful investments, most recently announcing the sale of School of Rock.
From a fundless sponsor to a premier institutional firm investing in the healthcare, education, business services, and consumer sectors, to creating its first Capital Pool Company, Sterling has always been innovative and scrappy. Not only does Sterling invest across a variety of industries, but also companies in various stages of growth. Over the years, the firm has expanded beyond its strong private equity practice into include several other investment strategies. Regardless of the sector or stage of development, the common thread of a Sterling investment is a strong business with a passion for serving customers and employees.
Today, the firm employs nearly 50 dedicated professionals across its strategies who continue to play a pivotal role in the firm’s success. With offices in both Chicago and Baltimore, Sterling continues to thrive as a dynamic force in the investment management sector.
How Sterling Got Its Start
Founded in 1983 by four young entrepreneurs, Steven Taslitz, Chris Hoehn-Saric, Doug Becker, and Eric Becker, Sterling got its start as an independent sponsor. With early investments in companies like LifeCard (which they sold to BlueCross BlueShield of Maryland) and Sylvan Learning Centers (which they sold to Apollo), the founders quickly established Sterling as one of the most prominent PE firms in both Chicago and Baltimore.
“Over the last four decades, much has changed but also much has remained the same,” said Steven Taslitz, Co-Founder and Chairman at Sterling. “Our firm has – and continues – to grow and innovate and look for interesting and unique opportunities to build businesses and create value. We have thrived by remaining true to our core. We are entrepreneurs and operators as much as we are investors. No matter how big our firm has become, we will always have a roll-up our sleeves attitude. My partners and I love what we do – we love to build businesses, and we plan to continue looking for interesting opportunities to do that for a long time to come.”
About Sterling Partners: Sterling Partners (Sterling) is a diversified investment management platform founded in 1983 and based in Chicago. The firm started with four young entrepreneurs, who went on to build one of Chicago’s most prominent private equity firms. Today, the firm has expanded beyond its strong private equity practice into several other investment strategies. Complementing its institutional fund practice, Sterling invests in a wide variety of companies in various stages of growth – from early-stage, high-growth businesses to mature, profitable companies – on a deal-by-deal basis. These investments cross several industries, and the firm makes control, non-control, and preferred equity investments. Sterling adds value to its portfolio companies and the founders with whom it partners with its entrepreneurial roots, deep domain expertise, focus on transformational growth, and access to world-class executive talent. For more information, please visit www.sterlingpartners.com.