Pritzker Business Endeavors

Through The Pritzker Group and New World Ventures, J.B. Pritzker invests in companies that have market leadership potential and management teams focused on excellence that value his family’s commitment to integrity, honesty and loyalty.

Founded in 1996 by J.B. Pritzker, New World Ventures has become one of the Midwest’s leading venture capital firms, investing in early stage information technology companies that are principally focused on enterprise software, infrastructure and IT managed services. The firm has invested in successful companies such as online educator eCollege, data storage provider Lefthand Networks, desktop managed service company Everdream, and web-based event ticket seller TicketsNow.

Together with his brother, Tony Pritzker, J.B. Pritzker co-leads The Pritzker Group, a private investment firm that acquires late stage companies in a wide range of business sectors, including industrial manufacturing and distribution, business services, and technology. Companies in the group include investment castings manufacturer Signicast and building products distributor Carter-Waters.

J.B. Pritzker has long been a leading proponent of entrepreneurship and a stronger technology sector focus in the Midwest. Pritzker played an important early role in the creation of the Illinois Venture Capital Association, the nation’s top regional private equity association, and in the creation of the Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center, the leading regional advocate for entrepreneurs. He also co-founded the public/private Illinois Innovation Accelerator Fund.

Over the years, J.B. Pritzker has been recognized by several industry organizations for his efforts toward business growth in Illinois. In 2009, the Illinois Venture Capital Association presented Pritzker with its Richard J. Daley Medal, which recognizes a single individual who has given direct and extraordinary support to the Illinois economy resulting from private equity funding. In 2008, Pritzker received the Entrepreneurial Champion Award from the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce for his efforts to promote economic development and job creation. The Chicago Sun-Times also named Pritzker to its "Hot 100" most prominent members of Chicago's technology economy.