Alan Patricof

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Alan Patricof (born 1935) is an American businessman and entrepreneur, and is one of the early investors in the venture capital and private equity industries. Patricof founded Apax Partners (based on a play on Patricof's name), which is today one of the largest private equity firms globally.

Patricof began his career in the early years of private equity. In 1969, he founded he founded Patricof & Co. a firm dedicated to making investments in "development capital" later known as "venture capital," primarily in small early-stage companies. The firm was renamed Apax in 1971, when Patricof brought in co-founder Sir Ronald Cohen.

By the mid-1990's Apax had become one of the larger private equity firms globally In 2001, Patricof stepped back from day-to-day management of Apax Partners, Inc., the US arm of the firm to return to his original focus on making venture capital investments in small early-stage companies. In 2006, Patricof left Apax to form Greycroft Partners which focuses on small early-stage venture capital investments.[1]

Patricof has been an early investor and been involveved in the development of numerous major companies including America Online, Office Depot, Cadence Design Systems, Apple Computer and FORE Systems. He was a founder and chairman of the board of New York magazine, which later acquired the Village Voice and New West magazine.[2] Patricof also acquired style magazine Details (magazine) in 1987.[3]

Patricof has been active in Democratic Party politics, contributing to candidates including Bill and Hillary Clinton.[4][5][6][7]

Patricof received his undergraduate education in finance from Ohio State University and earned his MBA from Columbia Business School.


[edit] References

  1. ^ Sorkin, Andrew Ross. "New Fund for Prominent Investor". New York Times, March 6, 2006.
  2. ^ 2006 Wharton Private Equity Conference Keynote Speaker
  3. ^ Details Gets New Owner. New York Times, June 6, 1987.
  4. ^ Martin, Douglas. STRICTLY BUSINESS; A Venture Capitalist and His Politics New York Times, November 2, 1992.
  5. ^ Donors Who Stayed at the White House New York Times, March 2, 1997.
  6. ^ Murphy, Rick. Presidential Fund-Raising On a Hamptons Weekend. New York Times, July 19, 1998.
  7. ^ Luo, Michael. Facing Obama Fund-Raising Juggernaut, Clinton Seeks New Sources of Cash New York Times, April 20, 2008

[edit] External links