Karin O’Connor is the founder of Perimeter Advisors, and brings over twenty years of experience in growth company strategy and private equity/venture capital investing, functional expertise in finance, and governance experience at the Board of Directors level.

Since beginning her career at Continental Bank in the 1980’s, Karin has invested in and advised entrepreneurs in a variety of industries that includes financial services, business services, software, technology distribution, health care, manufacturing, and consumer services.  She has invested at all levels of the capital structure—from senior debt to mezzanine, venture leasing, and equity—and in companies ranging from early stage to mature.

A regular speaker on issues related to growth-company financing, Karin has taken leadership roles in many professional organizations.  Current or past service includes ACG Chicago (Association for Corporate Growth), Hyde Park Angels, the Chicago Finance Exchange, and the Venture Club of Indiana.  She also writes the popular quarterly newsletter, Online Insight.

Karin received her BA in Finance from the University of Illinois, where she graduated magna cum laude and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa.  She earned her MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management, where she was an F.C. Austin Scholar and was elected to Beta Gamma Sigma.  Karin received a CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) charter in 2007.