See title. Please also specify region. Are there any exits from IB or management consulting and finance in general to top AI companies?
Europe: I have seen a lot of exits recently to OpenAi and few to Anthropic from friends at MBB. That being said, all technical profiles (e.g., PhD in STEM + McK Quantumblack). I wonder why I see little traction to Biz Dev, Corporate Strategy, etc.
I see some traction also in sales, but sales people typically tend to have completely different (often non target) backgrounds but just tons of experience in tech sales in the region.
OpenAI isnt going to hire some banker for corporate strategy lol
Not sure about corp strategy but you can find openai strategic finance people who exited from ib
Is this the top signal?
My guess would be AI Infra / Compute - Anthropic recently hired a couple of ex GS guys (one in IB and one in Principal Investing) - they had experience post IB tho (one at Brookfield and one at Google)
anthropic and openai exist to render you unemployed. they seem like the last place you should look for a gig
Hyperscalers actually do need CorpFin professionals particularly those with a capital markets background. The issue is these are AI-native Cos that do not believe in paying $200k+ for junior talent when they feel they can do the work with AI.
This is incorrect, they pay significantly more than that cash & options on top
Most corp dev / strategy roles at top labs are either internally promoted or very heavily networked. There is no 'recruitment' for these roles.
Also, not to be harsh, but 'cookie-cutter' bankers and consultants are the last thing Anthropic or OpenAI needs.
Finance/consultant guys unfortunately have nearly zero operational understanding of how AI labs operate. Their inorganic (and organic) growth strategies are highly technical. You can't bs your way into $$ there.
Having said that it's a fantastic job to have if you can get it lol
Have you drank the kool-aid? Whats so special about, e.g., Aschenbrenners wife who is CoS at anthropic? It is not like she is a fields medalist or has the CV that would point to a 150 IQ individual.
What do you think happens in corporate dev/strategy - those are essentially roles geared towards the archetypes you are describing (i.e., cookie cutter banker or consultant).
I have worked with people who intelligence wise were definitely on the spectrum (i.e., double oxford stem PHD/physicists, ex CERN employees). You can sense the intelligence but it is not like that auto translates well especially into business roles. I would rather have a few workhorse bankers and consultants who turn around decks and models fast for such roles.
Cope. The only thing that matters in this world is technical capability.
You went into finance to be the “big picture guy.” Now you’re gonna find out no one needs that.
I personally saw one girl I know recently from Wharton. She did JPM IB, moved to KKR for a year and now is doing some hot AI start up. Hope that helps. GL
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