Alan Patricof
| Alan Patricof | |
|---|---|
| Born |
Alan Joel Patricof 1934 (age 82–83) New York, New York |
| Residence | New York, New York |
| Nationality | American |
| Alma mater |
Ohio State University Columbia University (MBA) |
| Occupation | Businessman |
| Known for | Founder of private equity firm Apax Partners |
| Spouse(s) | Bette Patricof Hollander (divorced) Susan Hatkoff |
| Children | Mark Patricof (with Hollander); Jamie Patricof (with Hatkoff); Jonathon Patricof (with Hatkoff) |
Alan Patricof (born 1934) is an American investor and one of the early pioneers of the venture capital and private equity industries. Patricof founded Apax Partners (based on a play on Patricof's name: Alan Patricof Associates Cross (x) Border), which is today one of the largest private equity firms globally.
Patricof grew up in a Jewish family on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, New York City, the son of parents who had immigrated from Russia to the United States. His father was a small-time stockbroker. Patricof graduated from Ohio State University in 1955, after three years, and earned an M.B.A. from Columbia University in 1957 while working full-time as an analyst for an investment firm.
Patricof worked from the ground up and eventually was assigned the management of the Gottesman pulp and paper fortune. Tired of the irrational volatility of the stock market, he focused his efforts on the new private companies in the portfolio. In 1967, he invested in New York magazine, a new publication, where he served as the founding chairman of the board. The magazine was a success and his efforts elevated his business profile. In 1969, he was able to raise $2.5 million and founded one of the first venture capital firms, Patricof Company Ventures. In 1977, he founded the private equity firm Apax Partners. Patricof is an active investor: he always takes a seat on the company's board and is very vocal with his views.
By the mid-1990s 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.
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