Primer on consumer tech or growth companies

Hi all, have an interview coming up for a HF that invests mostly in consumer tech, internet, e-commerce, etc this type of growth companies. Haven't looked at these companies before myself. 

Anyone can share any primers / reading materials to help me better educate myself?

Thanks a lot

2 Comments
 

Based on the most helpful WSO content, here are some recommendations to get you started on consumer tech and growth companies:

  1. Focus on Key Players: Begin by reading initiating coverage/primers on major players like Google/Alphabet, Netflix, Facebook, and Amazon. These companies are foundational to understanding the consumer internet space.

  2. Investor Presentations and Annual Reports: If you don’t have access to research reports, investor presentations and annual reports are excellent substitutes. Supplement these with free research and insights from sources like Stratechery and A16Z.

  3. Kleiner Internet Trends Report: This is a must-read. Try to go through multiple editions to understand trends over time.

  4. Conceptual Frameworks: Familiarize yourself with concepts like network effects, Metcalfe’s Law, the Hype Cycle, Aggregation Theory, and Moore’s Law. These are particularly relevant for understanding the dynamics of consumer tech and growth companies.

  5. Industry News and Implications: Once you’ve built a foundation, start interpreting news about the industry. Understand the implications of events and trends for companies and their competitive positioning.

These steps will help you build a strong understanding of the space and prepare you for your interview. Good luck!

Sources: Keeping Up with the Zuckerbergs (Learning About/Staying Up-to-Date on the Tech Industry), Preparing for the HF informational interview, Preparing for the HF informational interview, Advice Please! Growth Equity Interview Questions?, TMT prep

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.
 

Eveniet quae et quibusdam dolorem animi non. Dolor et eveniet et ex. Fuga voluptates incidunt repudiandae nisi aut minima et.

Ducimus corporis explicabo beatae. Corporis laborum voluptates eius doloremque fugit.

Sunt aut ut quia. Aliquid laborum id omnis ut eos. Nihil optio cupiditate in omnis rerum ex. Numquam aut molestiae adipisci. Est velit ipsam voluptatem odit. Ut sed qui vel qui.

Sed aut accusantium ea hic aperiam cupiditate. Et quae ex ullam consectetur. Excepturi officiis iure voluptas odit ea inventore delectus.

Career Advancement Opportunities

August 2026 Hedge Fund

  • Point72 99.0%
  • D.E. Shaw 98.0%
  • Citadel Investment Group 97.0%
  • AQR Capital Management 96.0%
  • Magnetar Capital 95.0%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

August 2026 Hedge Fund

  • Magnetar Capital 99.0%
  • D.E. Shaw 98.0%
  • Blackstone Group 97.0%
  • Citadel Investment Group 96.0%
  • Two Sigma Investments 94.9%

Professional Growth Opportunities

August 2026 Hedge Fund

  • AQR Capital Management 99.0%
  • Point72 98.0%
  • D.E. Shaw 97.1%
  • Citadel Investment Group 96.1%
  • Magnetar Capital 95.1%

Total Avg Compensation

August 2026 Hedge Fund

  • Portfolio Manager (9) $1,648
  • Vice President (27) $464
  • Director/MD (11) $372
  • NA (9) $320
  • Engineer/Quant (83) $287
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (26) $284
  • Manager (4) $282
  • 2nd Year Associate (32) $253
  • 1st Year Associate (76) $193
  • Analysts (233) $178
  • Intern/Summer Associate (29) $145
  • Junior Trader (5) $102
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (276) $95
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
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
6
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
9
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
10
Linda Abraham's picture
Linda Abraham
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...”