Baird Private Equity raised $300 million in `07

Chicago, Ill. - Baird Private Equity has announced that 2007 was a record year with $300 million in U.S. fund-raising and 13 successful exits, including two in Wisconsin companies.

Baird Private Equity, a global private equity group affiliated with Robert W. Baird & Co., raised $300 million in Baird Capital Partners IV and €350 million with its affiliate, GB Deutschland Fund. The company deployed $240 million in 19 new or follow-on investments, and realized more than $315 million through 13 successful exits, including exits associated with Wisconsin firms NimbleGen and TomoTherapy.

Pharmaceutical giant Roche acquired NimbleGen for $272.5 million, and TomoTherapy netted $180 million in an initial public offering of stock.

Baird Private Equity attributed the record year to a combination of global operating resources and its focus on smaller, high potential companies in the business services, manufacturing, and healthcare/life sciences sectors. The firm has raised and managed $2.4 billion in capital worldwide.

The company also announced that Aaron Rudberg has been promoted to newly created position of director of investor relations, and that Chief Administrative Officer Scott Skie has been promoted to partner. Related stories

• Baird Venture Partners officially exits investment in NimbleGen

• NimbleGen to discontinue IPO after Roche's $272.5 million acquisition

• TomoTherapy founder says investors should take long view of company performance