Description Sprout Group provides green to growing companies. The venture capital affiliate of Credit Suisse invests in software, technology, health care, communications, and business services concerns in North America and Europe. It likes to get its hands dirty in the companies it invests in: Most of the time, Sprout Group is the lead investor on its deals; it usually takes at least one seat on the boards of portfolio companies and assists them in matters such as strategy and recruiting. Founded in 1969, the firm has invested in more than 350 companies. It raises capital for its endeavors from institutional investors such as corporations, pension funds, insurance companies, endowments, and private investors.