Boutique IB (non-elite) vs. Boutique Mng Consulting (but does 30% PE dilligence work) for PE?

Hi Monkeys,

Hope you are all well. My question: looking to eventually break into PE. I currently have offers on the table from a boutique Financial Services-focused IB in NY and a boutique management consulting firm (NY or SF). Trying to decide between the two offers, given my goal of eventually ending up in PE after.

A bit about the firms:
Boutique IB: ~15 people, but all analysts and MD's. From what I hear from folks within the firm, the analysts get high exposure to MD's. The firm doesn't have any associates or VP's, so analysts get to play the role of Analyst - VP, and are immediately placed on live engagements. Firm does very little marketing to clients, and has several active deals. The main benefit here is the awesome deal experience I'd get working with financial services clients.

Consulting Firm: A very small consulting firm, but they do purely strategy work (as opposed to operations, IT, etc.). Their work includes about 25-30% due diligences for PE firms.

My background: 2 years as a management consultant in a Big 4's consulting arm; undergrad from a public non-Ivey target.

Happy to give more information, but off of what I've provided so far, does anyone have any idea which would be better for breaking into PE after a year or two stint?

Thanks in advance - really appreciate your time.

Best,
RP

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