Tech groups - early stage

No doubt, the top tech groups (i.e. GS TMT, Q, MS Menlo) are pretty well known. However, I'm curious about which bank groups are most dominant in early stage tech M&A or IPOs

For example, I'm talking more about the Snowflakes and Snaps of the world when they were still new as opposed to dealing with more mature tech clients like Apple, Intel, etc. Or, in other words, which bank groups are most dominant working with top startups that engage in M&A and go public?

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

I'm not sure I understand your question. Are you asking about (1) who works with early stage / early growth startups (i.e. Seed --> Series C) or (2) who works with these startups when they are closer to IPO or executing a large acquisition / sale?

  1. There isn't much reason for early stage startups to engage bankers. As they get towards later stages bankers may start trying to build relationships with them ahead of a big exit event, but it's just not a service early stage startups need. 
  2. The same banks you listed GS / MS / Qatalyst are often the ones leading transactions for "startups" of that stage and caliber. 
 

All the top tech BB groups have venture / earlier stage coverage strategies these days. And considering the current private company valuation environment, a fast-growing software company in an exciting area can command a 20x+ multiple on run-rate revenue. So pretty quickly a new company can be worth close to a billion dollars (more if strategic value to a big tech player). All more reason the same players that cover the big tech players are zoned in on covering the good "small" / newer players.

 

Early stage start-ups don’t engage bankers for their earlier rounds. It also does not make commercial sense for the banker since earlier rounds tend to be too small to generate sufficient fees for the bank. 

 

Sed facilis laborum et id temporibus. Illo perspiciatis minima recusandae sit quae ut. Incidunt voluptatem ut illo hic. Quisquam sapiente ut unde nemo. Qui unde pariatur sed ab repellendus labore sunt. Sit et officiis facere impedit.

Velit cum praesentium officia similique voluptas. Voluptas architecto voluptate suscipit voluptatem. Earum cum iste dolor et. Laborum voluptatem velit distinctio animi.

Career Advancement Opportunities

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 19 98.8%
  • Harris Williams & Co. New 98.3%
  • Lazard Freres 02 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 04 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Harris Williams & Co. 18 99.4%
  • JPMorgan Chase 10 98.8%
  • Lazard Freres 05 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.7%
  • William Blair 03 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Lazard Freres 01 99.4%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 17 98.3%
  • Moelis & Company 07 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 05 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (20) $385
  • Associates (88) $260
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (14) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (67) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (205) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (146) $101
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
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
5
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
bolo up's picture
bolo up
98.8
10
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
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...”