NextGen Growth Partners LLC (NGP), a Chicago-based private equity firm that acquires and builds businesses alongside entrepreneurial operators, recently visited a group of young entrepreneurs at Northside College Preparatory High School (Northside) in Chicago’s North Park neighborhood.
Brian O’Connor, NGP Founder and Managing Partner, spoke with the Future Business Leaders of Northside Student Club about the meaning of entrepreneurship, business leadership and proactivity in the working world. O’Connor says, “The students were so engaged and asked smart and thoughtful questions. It’s inspiring to see high school students already proactively thinking about their careers, how to make a difference, and what leadership means.”
The Northside students were enthusiastic about their time with O’Connor. “To have a speaker of such pedigree and experience give his time to teach us meant a lot,” shared one club member. “Professor O’Connor wanted the presentation to be as dynamic as possible and left ample time for us to ask questions and engage with him on topics of interest to us. I hope Future Business Leaders will continue to stay in touch with him going forward,” said another student.
NGP and O’Connor, a faculty member at The University of Chicago Booth School of Business, are committed supporters of educational causes and student support services in the Chicago area. Last November, NGP made a donation to Distinctive Schools, a Chicago-based non-profit operator of public charter schools focused on social justice and the elevation of access to achievement in underserved communities. O’Connor says, “Our business is all about people. Businesses, and our communities, grow and flourish because of people. When we focus on providing youth with the right tools, resources, access, and mentorship; we all benefit.”
About Northside College Preparatory High School
Northside College Preparatory High School is a public 4-year selective enrollment high school located in the North Park neighborhood of Chicago. The school’s mission is to create a responsive environment that challenges all to embrace the joy of discovery, nurtures learners as they strive to fulfill their individual and collective potential and empowers students to pursue their roles in the local and global communities. To learn more, please visit www.northsideprep.org.
About NextGen Growth Partners
Headquartered in the West Loop neighborhood of Chicago, NextGen Growth Partners is a private equity firm that partners with the best and brightest entrepreneurial talent to acquire, operate and grow lower middle market businesses across a variety of industries. The team has a strong track record of creating value through growth and operational improvement in middle market businesses. For more information, please visit nextgengp.com.
Media Contact:
Brian O’Connor, NGP Managing Partner
boconnor@nextgengp.com