Veronis

Sylvain Gaboury/Patrick McMullan Tony Bennett The very first year, with 15 tables and 150 guests, Ms. Veronis tried to be funny.

Roasting Rich and Famous Marshall Heyman 2011

Private-equity firm Veronis Suhler Stevenson LLC is a majority owner of Ipreo; the rest is owned by the company's management and financial institutions, according to a spokeswoman.

Market-Data Firm Ipreo on Auction Block Anupreeta Das 2011

"Everyone loved using their blown-up lips and wrapping their head in gauze," said Ms. Veronis of this year's affair, which brought in $685,000 for the Irvington Institute Fellowship Program.

Roasting Rich and Famous Marshall Heyman 2011

Sylvain Gaboury/Patrick McMullan Cathie Black, Veronica Kelly and Lauren Veronis In case you haven't figured it out, comedy is pretty integral to this party, which was founded 29 years ago by Lauren Veronis.

Roasting Rich and Famous Marshall Heyman 2011

At first, the restaurant "didn't think it was doable, that most likely it was too labor intensive and they didn't know how it would come together," Ms. Veronis recalled.

Roasting Rich and Famous Marshall Heyman 2011

Ms. Veronis always says, "let's make people laugh," Mr. Stroud said.

Roasting Rich and Famous Marshall Heyman 2011

Ipreo was formed by the 2006 merger of predecessors i-Deal and Hemscott, with the backing of Veronis, Merrill Lynch and Citigroup Inc. Veronis was an owner of Hemscott.

KKR to Buy Ipreo, a Capital-Markets Data Firm Anupreeta Das 2011

KKR is acquiring Ipreo from another buyout firm, Veronis Suhler Stevenson LLC.

KKR to Buy Ipreo, a Capital-Markets Data Firm Anupreeta Das 2011

Even at the $425 million price tag, the deal represents a return of three times on the capital that Veronis put in, a person familiar with the matter said.

KKR to Buy Ipreo, a Capital-Markets Data Firm Anupreeta Das 2011

As for themes, "We've done everything": Famous lovers like Joe Namath and himself, Ms. Veronis said, New York neighborhoods, U.S. states, parades of Manhattan.

Roasting Rich and Famous Marshall Heyman 2011