Brian Feldt, Senior Reporter, St. Louis Business Journal

Bill Willhite, the former managing partner of Thompson Street Capital Partners, has raised $37 million for a new private equity fund.

Willhite, according to documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, raised the money through Wilsquare Capital Partners Fund I, L.P., from three unidentified investors.

Willhite is co-founder and managing partner at WILsquare Capital, a Creve Coeur-based private equity firm.

James Wilmsen, the former CFO at Xiolink, the data center acquired by Cosentry (and later TierPoint), is listed on the filing as a managing member.

WILsquare, according to its website, focuses on lower-middle market Midwestern or Southern companies with earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization of between $3 million and $10 million in the business services, technology infrastructure or niche manufacturing industries.

Willhite did not respond to requests for comment.

According to a company brochure, WILsquare has completed more than 100 mergers and acquisitions totaling nearly $6 billion.

Willhite, while with Thompson Street, helped lead the firm through its $307 million second fund (TSCP II) and execution of a successful $380 million fundraising for TSCP III, according to WILsquare's website.

Brian Feldt covers technology, venture capital, startups, real estate and sports business.