In 1998, Stephen M. Brackett, Myles P. Gilbert, and William M. Sheehan formed the core team to manage an alternative asset subsidiary for Manulife Financial Corporation (a global financial services organization headquartered in Toronto, Ontario). In 2000, the team established Ironside Capital to continue managing the legacy portfolios, invest additional capital, and simultaneously attract outside funds as an independent investment firm.  Also in 2000, the Firm closed Ironside Ventures, L.P., a venture capital limited partnership comprised of small institutions and high net worth individuals.  The Ironside funds have made investments in high growth segments of the information technology, communications and healthcare markets.