Karin O’Connor

Karin O’Connor is founder of Chicago-based Perimeter Advisors, an advisory firm that assists owners of promising mid-market companies with planning and execution of value enhancement strategies. She is also an active investor in and advisor to early- and growth-stage companies and entrepreneurs.

Karin recently joined the faculty of Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management and teaches the school’s “New Venture Launch” and “Growth Strategy Practicum” courses. She also serves as Entrepreneur-in-Residence at the University of Illinois Research Park, where she provides advice, counsel, and training to start-up companies and prospective technology entrepreneurs, including University faculty and students.

Since beginning her career in corporate banking 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. From 2011 until 2014, Karin served as Managing Director of Hyde Park Angles, Chicago’s largest angel investor network and invested in fifteen early-stage deals.

Karin holds a BA in Finance from the University of Illinois, and graduated as Magna Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa. MBA, Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, F.C. Austin Scholar and Beta Gamma Sigma Honor Society.