Bain Consulting vs Audax PE

Question

Trying to decide between a summer offer for Bain Consulting vs Audax Private Equity. Not sure if I want to be on the buy side long-term, but would like the option to do PE. Long term looking to get into VC.

What's the general reputation/tier for Audax?
How easy is it to transition from Bain Consulting to PE? What sort of firms would I be looking at?
If I transition to PE from consulting will I be able to go to business school?
What's a better path to VC?

foxridge123 · Accepted Answer

Audax is a well respected UMM PE firm. It is a solid exit opportunity from MBB or BB investment banking. The analyst program is known to give good training and many analysts have stayed on or lateraled to larger PE firms.

A Bain consultant is likely competitive for MM - MF PE opportunities. High performers can get jobs at Bain, Advent, etc. while many will end up at jobs similar to Audax, Golden Gate, Sycamore (all very solid jobs).

DrunkeyMonkey · Answer

Depends on if you're targeting early or later-stage VC.

Bain consulting would be better for exiting to early-stage VC. I say this having spoken with partners at a few top early-stage VC shops who have expressed their general dislike for hiring PE types and how this mindset is fairly common throughout early-stage. Audax would be better for later stage VC, think shops like Insight and Summit, who will typically require more modeling and deeper emphasis on cash generation compared to early-stage since they have less time to get a lower multiple on their invested capital.

petergibbons · Answer

Bain will keep more options open and be a more pleasant experience. And Audax doesn't place any better than Bain & Co - Tuck is not an uncommon landing spot for Audax whereas M7 is pretty much a layup from MBB.

franco · Answer

Bain consulting is likely to provide a wider range of opportunities, particularly if you aren't dead set on buy out. If you value a generalist skill set, getting trained properly and having a network of talented alumni to reach out to then Bain would be the better option. Bain has a PE ring fence which provides a nice set up into PE.

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Bain Consulting vs Audax PE

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Bain Consulting vs Audax PE

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