Corp Dev @ AI Lab
I’m sure you all notice the recent funding rounds / valuation rumors around frontier AI labs, infrastructure, compute, application, fintech, crypto (companies like Anthropic, OpenAI, Cursor, Databricks, Ramp, Perplexity, Kraken, Crusoe, Lambda)
Seems pretty wild the velocity of these valuations and how quickly equity comp must be compounding. Curious whether finance-adjacent roles at these types of firms are realistically attainable from an IB / PE backgound? Whether it be Corp Dev, Biz Ops, Strategic Finance, Capital Markets, etc.
Anyone ever consider this path, or currently pursuing it? What are the options? How is comp, WLB, daily responsibility, culture? Riskier trajectory for sure, but seems enticing given the astronomical capital inflow. Also a bit more exciting than flipping HVAC
The pace of these funding rounds and valuation jumps in frontier AI, compute infra, fintech, and even crypto is getting kind of surreal. Every other week there’s another headline about a lab or infra provider raising at a number that feels like it belongs in a different asset class entirely. And if you’re inside one of these companies, your equity is basically aging in dog‑years.
From a traditional IB or PE background, roles like Strategic Finance, BizOps, Corp Dev, Capital Markets and the hybrid “finance‑plus‑operator” jobs are absolutely within reach. These companies are scaling so fast that they need people who can build models that don’t collapse under their own weight, negotiate with investors and keep the financial machinery from catching fire. They don’t necessarily want another slide‑factory analyst, but they do want someone who can think independently and execute without hand‑holding.
Comp can be very strong, especially if equity hits. WLB varies wildly, some teams run like a quant fund, others feel like a startup with nicer chairs. Culture tends to be intense but mission‑driven. You’re not flipping HVAC units, you’re helping build the infrastructure for models that might reshape entire industries, so people show up with a bit more adrenaline.
It’s definitely a riskier trajectory than staying in traditional finance, but the upside is real and the work is a lot closer to the frontier instead of just building decks about it. With the amount of capital pouring in, these roles are only going to get more common.
This is an AI comment. lol, well played.
ChatGPT slop
Currently at one of the above mentioned companies, definitely a ton of hiring happening and the growth is unreal.
As AI above said, comp could get unbelievably good if equity hits, the coming IPO’s of openai / anthropic will be good temp checks on how things are going. Coreweave’s market cap still very volatile still around ~$60b. They’re cloud only obv not infra, but time will tell!
For now cash comp is good enough in MCOL city and that’s what’s guaranteed
How did you get in and how early? It feels like valuations are so high now that there's more downside than upside to equity joining now for many of these, or at least not crazy upside. What're your thoughts?
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