Lincoln International Celebrates 30 Years of Delivering Outstanding Client Service and Outcomes Resulting in Extraordinary Growth

On April 1, 1996, Lincoln International, then known as Lincoln Partners, was created by four bankers in Chicago, Illinois, with a vision to become the best mid-market investment banking advisory firm in the world. With the dedication and purposefulness of all partners and employees, we are doing just that!

With no brand recognition and a small backlog of deals at the start, our entrepreneurial spirit drove exemplary client service during these past 30 years and accelerated our growth to completing more than 360 transactions with over 1,000 employees across 27 global offices in 2024.

As we celebrate Lincoln International’s 30th anniversary, we reflect on the firm’s evolution from an idea sparked during lunchtime chatter to the number one advisor on global mid-market PE-exits over the past 10 years because of you, our partners and employees.

Lincoln’s vision of becoming the best mid-market investment banking advisory firm has remained steadfast: deliver the highest-quality client service and outcomes while fostering a rewarding employee experience.

Our unique culture defined by an entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to excellence, collaboration, integrity and integration has moved us ever closer to realizing our vision and achieving several major growth milestones during both robust and challenging economic periods.

Summary

Lincoln Partners founded on April 1 in Chicago
Lincoln Partners founded on April 1 in Chicago
Added Debt Advisory service offering and first dedicated industry expert in Consumer
Added Debt Advisory service offering and first dedicated industry expert in Consumer
Opened New York office; Formed partnership in Frankfurt
Opened New York office; Formed partnership in Frankfurt
Lincoln Partners and Peters Associates became Lincoln International; Opened offices in Paris and Los Angeles
Lincoln Partners and Peters Associates became Lincoln International; Opened offices in Paris and Los Angeles
Opened Vienna office & added Valuations & Opinions service offering
Opened Vienna office & added Valuations & Opinions service offering
Opened London, Madrid and Tokyo offices
Opened London, Madrid and Tokyo offices
Opened Amsterdam office
Opened Amsterdam office
Opened Mumbai office
Opened Mumbai office
Opened Beijing and São Paulo offices
Opened Milan office
Opened Milan office
Opened Zurich office
Opened Zurich office
Opened Munich and Dallas offices
Opened San Francisco office & introduced the Lincoln Private Market Index™
Opened San Francisco office & introduced the Lincoln Private Market Index™
Lincoln International rebrand & opened Stockholm office
Lincoln International rebrand & opened Stockholm office
Opened Brussels office
Opened Brussels office
Opened Bangalore office
Opened Bangalore office
Private Funds Advisory offering established; Acquisition of Spurrier Capital Partners; Opened Miami and Atlanta offices
Signed strategic partnership with Miles Advisory in Australia; Acquisition of Mumbai-based VOG provider
Opened Boston, Cleveland, Richmond and Washington, D.C. offices; Acquisition of TCG Corporate Finance with new office in Berlin
Opened Dubai office
Acquisition of MarshBerry
Acquisition of MarshBerry

We are confident in our future and continued growth plans because our history indicates that we have the right playbook and the right people in place. The driving force of our optimism is each member of the Lincoln International team. Our clients engage Lincoln ​ International for our expertise and industry knowledge emanating from you, our partners and employees, who personify our culture and brand promise: Real Connections and True Perspectives.