Brian O Connor

Brian O'Connor is an Adjunct Professor of Entrepreneurship at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. He is also the Founder and Managing Partner of NextGen Growth Partners (NGP), a lower-middle market private equity firm established in 2015. At Booth, he teaches the course Entrepreneurship through Acquisition during winter quarters for the 2024-25 and 2025-26 academic years.

• Education
  • MBA from University of Chicago Booth School of Business (concentrations: entrepreneurship, finance, accounting, international business)
  • Bachelor's degree from Miami University (Ohio) with double major in finance and management information systems
• Professional Roles
  • Co-CEO and Head of Business Development at Innflux (hospitality-focused IT services, sold to Thing5 in 2015)
  • Vice President at Equity International (middle-market growth private equity fund)
  • Board Member and Treasurer at Distinctively College Bound (non-profit promoting student extracurricular opportunities)

Brian's professional focus lies in entrepreneurial value creation, particularly in small-to-mid-sized businesses. His work emphasizes strategic acquisitions, business development, and leveraging entrepreneurial leadership for growth. At Booth, he contributes to the Entrepreneurship academic area through teaching and mentorship.