[2] In the 1970s, Golder built the private equity program at First Chicago Corp.[3] where he is noted primarily for backing Federal Express and for efforts as chairman of the National Venture Capital Association and the National Association of Small Business Investment Companies to change federal laws allowing pensions to invest in private equity.

[4][5] Golder Thoma & Cressey received much of its initial funding from William M. Blair and upon leaving First Chicago, Golder was replaced by John A. Canning, Jr. who would go on to found rival Chicago private equity firm Madison Dearborn.

[6] In 1998, disagreements between the senior partners led Golder, Thoma, Cressey, Rauner, Inc. split into two private equity firms.

Following its separation from Thoma Cressey (discussed above), GTCR has raised seven private equity funds totaling $20 billion in limited partner commitments: In August 2023, it was announced GTCR had acquired the Basingstoke and Paris-headquartered compliance and supply chain management software platform, Once For All, from Warburg Pincus for an undisclosed amount.

[17] In October 2023, GTCR acquired the commercial security, fire and life safety business unit of ADT Inc. for $1.6 billion.