Sterling Partners is a private equity and venture capital firm founded in 1983 and headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, with additional offices in Baltimore, Maryland; Delhi, India; Admiralty, Hong Kong; and Mexico, Mexico. The firm specializes in early venture and buyout investments, primarily focusing on growth-stage small and middle-market private companies. Sterling Partners targets industries such as outsourced business services, healthcare, logistics, environmental services, and technology, including software and telecommunications. The firm typically invests between $2 million and $500 million in companies with enterprise values ranging from $20 million to $150 million and EBITDA exceeding $5 million, seeking both controlling and non-controlling interests. Sterling Partners emphasizes operational strategies and utilizes its network of industry veterans to enhance value in its portfolio companies, investing globally with a strong focus on North America.
Mellomanic is a music community platform to transform the relationship between artists and fans.
Keypath Education
Acquisition in 2024
Keypath Education is an education technology company based in Chicago, founded in 2014. It specializes in providing online program management (OPM) services to universities, offering a comprehensive suite of solutions that includes program design, market research, student recruitment, and ongoing student support. By focusing on career-relevant online education, Keypath aims to address the evolving needs of the workforce and contribute to solving global social and economic challenges. The company generates revenue through a share of the tuition fees paid by students enrolled in the programs it manages, serving thousands of students across the United States and globally.
Stella
Venture Round in 2023
Stella’s treatment is built on a new understanding of PTSD and its causes. Dr Lipov, the Chief Medical Officer at Stella, is credited with innovating the Stellate Ganglion Block ("SGB") as an intervention for trauma symptoms. After experiencing trauma, the way our brain functions may change in dramatic ways. In some cases, we become stuck in “fight or flight” mode - which can be observed in certain types of brain scans. It may be helpful to think about the sympathetic nervous system as being somewhat like an engine. Under normal conditions, we are in “neutral gear,” a relatively relaxed state not associated with feeling threatened. However, extreme stressors can shift and lock us into a higher gear, where we may remain for years or even decades. This state may involve “feeling constantly revved up and being unable to throttle down.” Common indicators of this altered biological state include symptoms like disrupted sleep, anger attacks, overwhelming panic, difficulties concentrating, a feeling of constantly being on “high alert”, and a strong startle response - in other words, the “hyper-arousal” cluster of post trauma symptoms. Stella’s adaptation of SGB involves injecting a widely available, commonly used anesthesia into a bundle of nerves in the neck, just above the collarbone. The injected medication has the short-term effect of soothing and “re-setting” the overactive nerves, operating in the same temporary way as the Novocaine administered by a dentist. To return to the earlier analogy, SGB seems to manually pop a “stuck gear” back into “neutral.”
Champ
Series B in 2022
Through the application of its secure, patented SaaS technology, Champ Titles (www.champtitles.com) digitizes the process of vehicle titling between state government, insurance carriers, financial institutions, vehicle sellers, consumers, and others. Champ Titles, founded in 2018, is focused on creating efficiencies and benefits for all vehicle title ecosystem members. Champ Titles has developed several solutions, all of which are built on a shared platform that serves different industry verticals. This common chassis has allowed the company to adapt its technology for insurance carriers, automotive retailers, and state governments, resulting in lower costs, increased security, and the easy transfer of ownership, benefiting all members of the vehicle title ecosystem.
Aliro
Series A in 2022
Aliro is a developer of a smart employment referral platform aimed at enhancing talent acquisition. It utilizes a community-powered approach that integrates multiple sourcing channels to access quality candidates more efficiently. By leveraging machine learning, Aliro matches qualified candidates with referring individuals, streamlining the hiring process. This innovative platform enables organizations to reduce the time spent on hiring while improving overall team efficiency. Through its data-driven methodology, Aliro seeks to unlock the potential of people and information to facilitate better hiring outcomes.
Lecturio
Private Equity Round in 2021
Lecturio GmbH is an e-learning platform based in Leipzig, Germany, that offers interactive audio-visual lectures and medical learning content through its website and mobile application. The company specializes in online medical education internationally while providing law, medical, and business courses within the German market. Collaborating with esteemed institutions such as Harvard and Johns Hopkins, Lecturio delivers high-quality medical education through an advanced teaching platform that adapts to various curricula and teaching methods. Additionally, the platform supports both online and offline learning, enabling users to access courses on a variety of devices, including tablets and PCs, facilitating flexible and effective education in topics such as economics, accounting, and software.
Mellomanic
Venture Round in 2020
Mellomanic is a music community platform to transform the relationship between artists and fans.
Cerebro Capital
Seed Round in 2020
Cerebro Capital, Inc. is a company that has developed a web-based portal aimed at middle-market firms seeking to optimize their access to credit facilities for various purposes, including operations, growth, and acquisitions. Founded in 2017 and headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland, the platform aggregates data from over 80 lenders and employs analytics to effectively match financing needs with suitable lenders. It provides a user-friendly interface for interpreting financial data, ensuring that corporate financial teams can efficiently analyze and manage their borrowing options. By focusing on enhancing transparency in the lending process, Cerebro Capital facilitates connections between borrowers and commercial lenders, ultimately streamlining the sourcing of capital and improving the overall efficiency of corporate credit management.
Reading Plus
Private Equity Round in 2019
Reading Plus, LLC is an education company based in Winooski, Vermont, specializing in reading assessment and intervention services. Founded in 1930, the company develops adaptive software that integrates various components of reading, including comprehension, vocabulary, motivation, and reading efficiency. Its platform provides personalized instruction tailored to individual student needs, along with teacher-directed instruction and professional development support. By offering research-based reading interventions, Reading Plus aims to enhance fluency, comprehension, and vocabulary for students, benefiting educators and families alike.
Big Blue Marble Academy
Private Equity Round in 2018
Big Blue Marble Academy, LLC is a provider of early childhood education services, operating 28 schools across five states. Founded in 2012 and based in Gilbert, South Carolina, the academy offers a curriculum that integrates science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education with second language enrichment, promoting global learning among children of all ages. Their programs include cultural awareness, character development, Spanish immersion preschool, as well as before and after school care and summer camps tailored to various age groups. The academy focuses on preparing children for a diverse and interconnected world through engaging, community-based educational experiences.
Fancy Sprinkles
Series A in 2018
Fancy Sprinkles LLC is a Burbank, California-based manufacturer and marketer of confectionery sprinkles, established in 2015 by CEO and Creative Director Lisa Stelly Osbourne. The company specializes in a diverse range of sprinkles, including deluxe sprinkles, metallics, crunchy jimmies, vegan options, and seasonal varieties, catering to both individual consumers and professional bakers. Fancy Sprinkles operates as a direct-to-consumer e-commerce business, allowing it to engage closely with customers and ensure high-quality products and service. The company emphasizes creativity and customization, offering unique colors and edible glitters designed to enhance cakes, cupcakes, and ice cream. As a woman-owned and women-run enterprise, Fancy Sprinkles is committed to delivering exceptional confectionery toppings that elevate dessert presentations.
Traffic Solutions Corporation
Private Equity Round in 2018
Headquartered in Irvine, CA, Traffic Solutions Corporation (“TSC”) is one of largest providers of traffic control products and services with 18 locations in California, Hawaii, and Nevada. The company offers a diverse array of traffic control solutions, including job-site work, product sales, equipment rental, sign manufacturing, and installation for customers. TSC’s scale, broad capabilities, professionally trained staff, and strong product distribution capabilities significantly differentiate the company from the competition.
Cerebro Capital
Seed Round in 2018
Cerebro Capital, Inc. is a company that has developed a web-based portal aimed at middle-market firms seeking to optimize their access to credit facilities for various purposes, including operations, growth, and acquisitions. Founded in 2017 and headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland, the platform aggregates data from over 80 lenders and employs analytics to effectively match financing needs with suitable lenders. It provides a user-friendly interface for interpreting financial data, ensuring that corporate financial teams can efficiently analyze and manage their borrowing options. By focusing on enhancing transparency in the lending process, Cerebro Capital facilitates connections between borrowers and commercial lenders, ultimately streamlining the sourcing of capital and improving the overall efficiency of corporate credit management.
UPshow
Angel Round in 2017
UPshow, Inc. is a company that specializes in digital signage and social TV software, transforming traditional televisions in businesses into interactive marketing and entertainment platforms. The technology enables patrons to display their social media posts on screens within venues, promoting products, events, trivia, and interactive games. UPshow serves various industries, including bars, restaurants, retail, automotive, entertainment, fitness, and healthcare. Founded in 2015 and based in Chicago, Illinois, UPshow aims to enhance audience engagement by connecting TV screens and mobile devices, thereby improving customer experiences and driving business profitability. The platform also supports businesses in building customer databases and optimizing their marketing strategies, ultimately enhancing both customer and employee experiences.
Grand Rapids Ophthalmology
Private Equity Round in 2017
Grand Rapids Ophthalmology provides experienced professionals including twelve ophthalmologists and eighteen optometrists at locations throughout West Michigan to offer you convenient and easy access to professional care. Their mission is to provide a broad spectrum of high quality state-of-the-art eye care, products and services with the highest ethical standards and with unrivaled services to our patients. Further, it is our mission to provide our patients, our staff and our doctors with an outstanding work environment. Their office participates with most vision and medical insurance plans, including BCBS and all related products, Blue Care Network and all related products, Priority Health, VSP, and Medicare. When you contact our office, we will specifically check your individual insurance plan.
Amerigo Education
Venture Round in 2017
Amerigo supports international students at U.S. high schools with a holistic and supportive approach that emphasizes success and growth.They help international students seeking a preparatory education in the United States thrive both in and out of the American classroom. Combining a nurturing boarding environment, supplemental academic support, English language development, and an approach oriented around successful college outcomes, Amerigo prepares students with the skills, values, and care required to succeed in high school, at the college level, and beyond.
Panopto
Private Equity Round in 2016
Panopto helps businesses and universities create searchable video libraries of their institutional knowledge. Since 2007, the company has been a pioneer in video capture software, video content management systems, and inside-video search technology. Today, Panopto’s video platform is the largest repository of expert learning videos in the world. Headquartered in Seattle with offices in Pittsburgh, London, Hong Kong, Beijing, and Sydney, Panopto has received industry recognition for its innovation, rapid growth, and company culture.
DBi Services
Venture Round in 2016
Founded in 1978, DBi Services is a world leader in transportation infrastructure operations and maintenance. With over 60 locations in six countries, DBi operates a fleet of over 2500 specialized vehicles and has been recognized by "FleetOwner" Magazine as one of America's Top 500 Private Fleets.
Netomi
Seed Round in 2016
Netomi develops a conversational artificial intelligence platform designed to enhance customer experiences for brands and businesses. The platform enables seamless interactions on mobile messaging applications, allowing users to make product recommendations, inquire about product availability, and receive assistance with purchases. Additionally, it automates routine customer service tasks across various sectors, including retail, e-commerce, gaming, telecommunications, and travel. Netomi's solutions support multiple channels, such as messaging, chat, email, and voice, and are designed to be easily integrated with popular tools like Zendesk, Salesforce, and Shopify. Founded in 2015 and based in San Mateo, California, with additional offices in New York and Gurugram, India, Netomi has established itself as a leader in customer experience AI, emphasizing operational efficiency and customer satisfaction. Its no-code deployment model allows for quick implementation and scalability, enabling businesses to meet evolving customer expectations effectively.
Hoffman Southwest
Acquisition in 2015
Hoffman Southwest Corp. (HSW) is a leading provider of water flow solutions services. Its Professional Pipe Services (Pro-Pipe) division is a leader in underground pipeline condition assessment and repair, providing state-of-the-art closed circuit television (CCTV) inspection services, including video inspection, underground mapping, cleaning and rehabilitating sewage pipelines for municipalities, contractors, engineers, government agencies, facility owners, homeowners and natural gas providers in the western United States.
Surgical Solutions
Acquisition in 2014
Provides hospitals with support and equipment for endoscopic and laparoscopic surgical procedures.
Results Physiotherapy
Private Equity Round in 2014
Results Physiotherapy is an outpatient orthopedic physical therapy organization dedicated to providing exceptional care to patients across various locations, including Nashville, Memphis, Chattanooga, Louisville, Raleigh, Huntsville, Knoxville, and the Tri-Cities. The company specializes in hands-on treatment for a wide range of conditions, including post-surgical recovery, neck and back pain, sports injuries, and work-related issues. Additionally, Results Physiotherapy addresses ailments such as arthritis, headaches, and pelvic pain, as well as specific conditions like plantar fasciitis and knee ligament injuries. They also offer specialized services in aquatic therapy, women's health, and pediatric care, ensuring that each patient receives individualized, evidence-based treatment tailored to their specific needs.
SAVO Group
Venture Round in 2014
Founded in 1999, SAVO is a provider of on-demand, collaborative Sales Enablement solutions. Whether you have 10 sales reps or 10,000, SAVO plugs your sales reps into the collective genius of your entire organization by connecting them to the best resources, insights and expertise so that they never sell alone. By leveraging key Web 2.0 concepts, SAVO: - Pushes the best content, resources, and information at the right time; - Empowers anyone across the organization to contribute content, insights, and feedback, regardless of role; - Allows reps to rate the quality, relevance, and effectiveness of content through star ratings, comments, and usage statistics; - Makes it easy to customize content to maximize the impact, without compromising your brand. SAVO has been developed and refined through long-standing relationships with companies such as Morgan Stanley, CareerBuilder.com, Acxiom, AutoTrader.com, AmerisourceBergen, Citigroup, ADP, SPSS, and FedEx Kinkos. The combination of real-world client experience, an innovative consulting approach and award-winning technology uniquely positions SAVO to deliver practical solutions to enable the entire sales organization.
Innotrac
Acquisition in 2013
Innotrac Corporation provides order processing, order fulfillment, and call center services to corporations that outsource these functions. Its fulfillment services include warehouse management, automated shipping, inventory tracking and order status, purchasing and inventory management, channel development, zone skipping, product sourcing and procurement, packaging, back-order management, and returns management solutions. The company also provides various customer support services, which comprise inbound call center services, technical support and order status, returns and refunds processing, call centers integrated into fulfillment platform, cross-sell/up-sell services, collaborative chat, and email response services. As of December 31, 2009, Innotrac operated seven fulfillment centers and one call center in the continental United States. It serves telecommunications industry; e-commerce, retail, and direct marketing companies; and business-to-business customers. The company was founded in 1984 and is headquartered in Johns Creek, Georgia.
Ad Venture Interactive Corp
Acquisition in 2013
It provides interactive marketing and advertising services.
SecureNet Payment Systems
Private Equity Round in 2012
SecureNet Payment Systems specializes in providing payment processing solutions for businesses, enabling them to accept payments seamlessly across in-store, online, and mobile channels. The company has developed a unified stack of APIs that supports various transaction types and programming languages, which simplifies integration and certification for merchants. SecureNet offers direct credit and debit card processing services for major card networks, including Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, and Diners Club. Its platform includes features such as electronic invoice presentment, payment applications, and automated clearing house services, equipping retailers and merchants with essential tools for managing their online businesses. Additionally, SecureNet emphasizes security and transparency, providing detailed analytics and a direct connection to card networks, which enhances pricing clarity and helps businesses make informed decisions for growth.
School of Rock
Venture Round in 2012
School of Rock is a performance-based music school. It features an All Star program that lets kids perform on stage around the world, giving them knowledge and experience of performing on stage and traveling.
First Choice Emergency Room
Private Equity Round in 2011
First Choice Emergency Room represents an entirely new concept in the delivery of emergency medical services. First Choice Emergency Room is a free-standing, fully equipped emergency room. All of their physicians are board certified, emergency medicine physicians and their nurses are registered nurses with emergency room training. They are prepared to manage all adult and pediatric major and minor emergencies.
School of Rock
Venture Round in 2011
School of Rock is a performance-based music school. It features an All Star program that lets kids perform on stage around the world, giving them knowledge and experience of performing on stage and traveling.
IO.com
Private Equity Round in 2011
IO, the leading provider of next-generation modular data center technology and services designs, engineers and delivers data center infrastructure for the world's largest enterprises, governments and service providers.
IO.com
Private Equity Round in 2008
IO, the leading provider of next-generation modular data center technology and services designs, engineers and delivers data center infrastructure for the world's largest enterprises, governments and service providers.
Avectra
Series A in 2007
Avectra, Inc. is a provider of on-demand membership management software solutions, specializing in products such as netFORUM Enterprise, which facilitates the management of member profiles, communications, and transactions. The company also offers netFORUM Team and Pro Editions, designed to help small and mid-sized organizations attract and retain members. In addition to software, Avectra provides a range of consulting services, including implementation, training, and development, as well as website design and ASP hosting services. Founded in 1994 and headquartered in McLean, Virginia, Avectra has additional offices in Los Angeles and Chicago.
SAVO Group
Series A in 2005
Founded in 1999, SAVO is a provider of on-demand, collaborative Sales Enablement solutions. Whether you have 10 sales reps or 10,000, SAVO plugs your sales reps into the collective genius of your entire organization by connecting them to the best resources, insights and expertise so that they never sell alone. By leveraging key Web 2.0 concepts, SAVO: - Pushes the best content, resources, and information at the right time; - Empowers anyone across the organization to contribute content, insights, and feedback, regardless of role; - Allows reps to rate the quality, relevance, and effectiveness of content through star ratings, comments, and usage statistics; - Makes it easy to customize content to maximize the impact, without compromising your brand. SAVO has been developed and refined through long-standing relationships with companies such as Morgan Stanley, CareerBuilder.com, Acxiom, AutoTrader.com, AmerisourceBergen, Citigroup, ADP, SPSS, and FedEx Kinkos. The combination of real-world client experience, an innovative consulting approach and award-winning technology uniquely positions SAVO to deliver practical solutions to enable the entire sales organization.
Centerre Healthcare
Venture Round in 2005
Centerre Healthcare Corporation develops and operates rehabilitation hospitals. It offers programs for strokes, brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, burns, traumatic injuries, and hip/knee/orthopedic problems. The company also provides specialized rehabilitation services for medical, psychological, social, and functional needs of patients and families. Centerre Healthcare Corporation was founded in 2002 and is based in Brentwood, Tennessee.
Cortera
Series B in 2004
Cortera, Inc. is a provider of business-to-business analytics and cloud-based risk management solutions, specializing in payment and purchase behavior data for both public and private companies. The company tracks $1.6 trillion in business-to-business purchases across 45 spend categories, delivering insights on 20 million U.S. business locations. Its offerings include Cortera Pulse, which monitors credit risk and key events; Boost, which appends scores and insights about customers and suppliers; and Cortera Decisions, an automated scorecard platform. Additionally, Cortera provides eCredit for credit scoring and collections automation, Cortera Traits for real-time statistical modeling, and Connect, an XML web service for accessing proprietary data. With a focus on helping companies understand their customers and partners, Cortera’s solutions enhance revenue generation, improve sales and marketing effectiveness, and mitigate risk. Founded in 1993 and headquartered in Boca Raton, Florida, the company also has offices in Quincy, Massachusetts, and Bengaluru and Coimbatore, India.
Florida Coastal School of Law
Acquisition in 2004
Florida Coastal School of Law is a school.
KnowledgeStorm
Venture Round in 2003
KnowledgeStorm, Inc. is an online platform that serves as a search resource for technology solutions and information. Founded in 1998 and headquartered in Alpharetta, Georgia, the company connects technology buyers with suitable technology providers by allowing users to search for solutions based on various criteria, including geographic location, business needs, industry, and technical specifications. KnowledgeStorm offers services such as solution listings, lead generation campaigns, and advertising opportunities in monthly newsletters to promote products, services, research, and events. Additionally, the company provides tools and services designed to help users optimize their online marketing efforts. As of November 2007, KnowledgeStorm operates as a subsidiary of TechTarget, Inc.
Cortera
Venture Round in 2003
Cortera, Inc. is a provider of business-to-business analytics and cloud-based risk management solutions, specializing in payment and purchase behavior data for both public and private companies. The company tracks $1.6 trillion in business-to-business purchases across 45 spend categories, delivering insights on 20 million U.S. business locations. Its offerings include Cortera Pulse, which monitors credit risk and key events; Boost, which appends scores and insights about customers and suppliers; and Cortera Decisions, an automated scorecard platform. Additionally, Cortera provides eCredit for credit scoring and collections automation, Cortera Traits for real-time statistical modeling, and Connect, an XML web service for accessing proprietary data. With a focus on helping companies understand their customers and partners, Cortera’s solutions enhance revenue generation, improve sales and marketing effectiveness, and mitigate risk. Founded in 1993 and headquartered in Boca Raton, Florida, the company also has offices in Quincy, Massachusetts, and Bengaluru and Coimbatore, India.
AnAerobics
Series A in 2002
AnAerobics, a Rochester, N.Y.-based developer of anaerobic wastewater treatment systems.
Vocus Group
Series B in 2002
Vocus Group is an international telecommunications company that specializes in providing high-speed internet access and wholesale network services. The company operates fiber networks and data centers, offering a range of telecommunications products that enable businesses, governments, and communities to stay connected. Vocus Group designs its services to facilitate seamless communication and support clients in scaling their operations and adopting new technologies effectively. Additionally, the company provides a suite of public relations software that helps communications professionals manage influencer campaigns, access a vast media database, distribute press releases, and analyze campaign effectiveness. With headquarters in Beltsville, Maryland, and offices across North America and Europe, Vocus Group serves a diverse clientele, including corporations, agencies, and nonprofits.
Corechange
Series C in 2002
The company provides enterprise portal software for the deployment and management of Intranet and extranet portals. The company's Coreport enterprise portal software allows businesses to provide all their stakeholders with a single, secure point of unified and personalized access to content, applications, processes, and services from any wired or wireless device.
Telenisus
Series C in 2001
Telenisus is a technology firm that provides e-commerce internet solutions to its clients. It was founded in 1999 and is based in Illinois.
Viaken Systems
Series B in 2001
Viaken Systems is the premier full service ASP (Application Service Provider) for the life sciences, offering solutions for biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and agricultural companies. Viaken hosts third-party research informatics application solutions and e-commerce services in the areas of genome informatics, chem informatics, and pharmaco informatics at its tier one data center and delivers these services via the Internet. The company’s unique ASP platform enables companies of all sizes to utilize the same state-of-the-art research information technology (IT) as implemented by top-tier organizations. Viaken specializes in architecture design, application and database hosting, distributed access to high performance computing services, secure network management, and 24x7x365 system and application support. The company also designs, implements, and hosts custom solutions to meet any of its customers’ IT requirements.
Cognitive Concepts
Series B in 2000
Cognitive Concepts offers a variety of services to schools and districts interested in instructional strategies specifically designed for english learners, including training, district support, translations, and curriculum development. They engaged in custom curriculum development, campus-specific training, classroom coaching, and educational events.
TidePoint
Series A in 2000
A provider of business partner infrastructure solutions
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