VC -> Tech -> MBA -> HF?

Hi: I’d like any thoughts on how someone with my background can break into the HF industry.

I graduated from HYPSM about six years ago where I studied engineering. I had weak GPA but a lot of really strong work experience at brand name tech firms (Facebook, Apple, etc.) and leadership roles. With that, I ended up at a top west coast PE/VC firm on the VC side and focused on tech investing (everything from sourcing/pitching deals, researching markets, diligence, helping firm’s investments). I have decent but not superstar financial modeling skills. After that, I joined the management teams of one of the VC investments and basically focused on doing a lot of the sorts of diligence that an investor might do (except, in this case, to make sure the company was run well). This fall, I’m going to H/S/W for an MBA.

I know mine isn’t the traditional PE -> HF story, but I’m curious how much HF demand there is for someone with a good pedigree, really strong technology focus, prior buy-side investing experience. Would my best short for these gigs be to go via campus recruiting? Head hunters? Just old fashioned networking?

 

You may be able to get into a place like Coatue or Tiger, but you will likely be working on the private investing side, probably doing VC/growth investing work. Unless you did heavy financial modeling at the startup, it's hard to see what value you could add to a L/S or buyout strategy over somebody who's done 2 years of banking and 2 years at a place like Silver Lake.

 

Honestly dude, why on earth would you want to be a model jockey with the skills and experience you have now? I'd focus on relationships and get an MBA. Go back to sourcing deals or something else.

 

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