Worth it to pursue a non-investment role in VC?

I am currently interviewing for a market research analyst role at a VC, and I was hoping to get some opinions on whether or not this is a smart move if my ambition is to eventually become an investment associate. I come from a somewhat untraditional background, so I think that if I were to break into VC I may have to do it through creative means such as this. However, I want to make sure that I wouldn't be headed towards a dead end.

Is it common to move from non-investing roles to investing roles? I figure that since I would be in the space, I would build a useful network that would assist me in progressing in VC. However, I likely would not be building many of the hard skills necessary for investing. I would greatly appreciate any guidance/insight. 

 
Most Helpful

What does a market research analyst do exactly? Are you working alongside the deal teams and feeding them insight during specific stages of the process or is it more of a marketing role where you're publishing insights?

Like many financial firms, it's difficult, though not impossible, to transition from a non-investment role to an investment role. That said, if you have the network, establish unique insights into under-covered verticals, and are able to get exposure to the investment process there's a way for you to angle your way in.

The above would only work for early stage firms and even then it'd be more beneficial for you to have operating experience instead. For a later stage fund I'd give you a <1% chance of making the transition given 1) technical modeling and diligence components of the role and 2) the greater barriers for building a network of later stage founders/VCs.

 

Iure alias omnis hic consequatur hic magnam. Esse recusandae accusamus rerum dolorem.

Hic autem et quia illum. Quam consequuntur id ratione exercitationem ut ut et. Sed et et optio culpa. Accusamus doloribus numquam aut asperiores atque numquam itaque. Et voluptatem nihil veritatis. Reiciendis ex dolorum qui laudantium nulla quae in.

Eligendi dolor sed hic autem omnis. Ipsam non et ipsam ad.

Career Advancement Opportunities

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 19 98.8%
  • Harris Williams & Co. New 98.3%
  • Lazard Freres 02 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 03 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Harris Williams & Co. 18 99.4%
  • JPMorgan Chase 10 98.8%
  • Lazard Freres 05 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.7%
  • William Blair 03 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Lazard Freres 01 99.4%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 17 98.3%
  • Moelis & Company 07 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 05 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (19) $385
  • Associates (87) $260
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (14) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (66) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (205) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (146) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
numi's picture
numi
98.8
10
Kenny_Powers_CFA's picture
Kenny_Powers_CFA
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”