DCM to MM PE

What kind of exit opps with MM PE firms can I expect after spending several years in DCM (analyst program and associate if opportunity is there) with a MM in the mid Atlantic region (Philly)? Dealing mostly with investment grade debt but also some high-yield. Would I need to go the MBA route to move into PE? For the record, I'm not interested in mega funds.

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Philly's a little different for PE. There's a little less of the direct and formal route (top ugrad->M&A analyst->PE pre-MBA, etc, although that definitely still exists and the town is full of Wharton folks) than NYC, and it's really almost about getting lucky and finding a fund that's hiring when you're looking. Check out Graham Partners (Steve Graham's a really good guy), Milestone, Lubert's multiple funds (although I heard from someone in real estate that he's having a hard time raising his next round of money but I have no idea if that's affecting their PE side-Ira's a bit of a dick also), Eureka Growth (smaller deals but good group of guys-I know earlier this year they were looking for another junior person but I have no clue if they filled it), SIG has a PE arm but they're mostly tech deals so I don't know if a debt background would fit, Versa (I don't know much about them, I think they do mostly restructurings/bk stuff) and a few others. That's off the top of my head on my pohne (there are a few others that I just can't think of right now), and there are more than you'd think, but not dozens. And if you're in the area they tend to be a little nicer than NY PE firms, so cold emailing may work.

 
Dingdong08

Philly's a little different for PE. There's a little less of the direct and formal route (top ugrad->M&A analyst->PE pre-MBA, etc, although that definitely still exists and the town is full of Wharton folks) than NYC, and it's really almost about getting lucky and finding a fund that's hiring when you're looking. Check out Graham Partners (Steve Graham's a really good guy), Milestone, Lubert's multiple funds (although I heard from someone in real estate that he's having a hard time raising his next round of money but I have no idea if that's affecting their PE side-Ira's a bit of a dick also), Eureka Growth (smaller deals but good group of guys-I know earlier this year they were looking for another junior person but I have no clue if they filled it), SIG has a PE arm but they're mostly tech deals so I don't know if a debt background would fit, Versa (I don't know much about them, I think they do mostly restructurings/bk stuff) and a few others. That's off the top of my head on my pohne (there are a few others that I just can't think of right now), and there are more than you'd think, but not dozens. And if you're in the area they tend to be a little nicer than NY PE firms, so cold emailing may work.

Fyi, heard Versa is having some fundraising issues. Bunch of their jr/midlevel guys are looking to jump. (I've screened their resumes.)

 

Yah, ton of smaller ones. Boat house, newspring, Guardian capital, etc. I'd suggest going to an ACG event or a TMA event. All the players are there. PHL is all about relationships so get to know the players. Very willing to look at non traditional type candidates as long as you know how to do your job.

 

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