Dream PE Firms
What is you dream PE firm? And why is it your dream firm? Pay, hours, culture, size, etc
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Career Resources
I don't think anyone else's dream PE firm should necessary influence where you want to work. Conduct some research into PE firms in sectors that you find interesting and then come to WSO to find existing threads (there are many on most firms) on them to gauge culture, comp, etc. And try to connect with people who actually work there if possible because they'll give you the best info or at least by talking to them you can better gauge the firm's culture.
Not trying to sound pissy but I don't think a bunch of undergrads saying insert prestigious MF name here is going to help you figure out your own dream PE firm. Doing your own research to find what you really want is more fulfilling and satisfying anyway.
Vista… because I hate doing my taxes…
Jokes aside - what are your thoughts on Vista?
Insight - MF level comp, growth is sexy, sourcing > modeling, hours are heavenly compared to IB, internal mobility, etc. etc.
I would drag my balls through broken glass to work there
What’s their ranking system? It’s doesn’t look like it’s analyst, associate, VP, principal, MD. What is their equivalent of the typical ranking system.
but it is lol...AN, AS, Senior AS, VP, Principal, MD. The 6 guys at the top of team page are the IC partners.
I've gotta imagine they're going through a bit of turbulence right now with the reset of growth valuations
I believe down ~15% across the platform in Q1 with more recent funds more or less flat and more mature funds down more, which is in line with most large growth firms right now.
Pretty sure the only multimillionaire from my high school class is someone at Insight lol. Intelligent guy who honestly came off as smug to me but I didn't know him well.
Also to answer thread: there is a micro/LMM fund I'm very fond of (total AUM is $500M+ and they make a strong effort to avoid auctions/competition when seeking out deals). They do hire off cycle and have hired nontraditionally. Very strong class of partners (one of their investment committee partners cofounded 2 companies that sold for 9 figures each) and are considered top decile in the industry they specifically cover in the LMM. Will not specify name as it has a very niche focus.
what level?
General Atlantic, cause I want to earn 600k/year as an associate lol
What is the culture and hours like?
genuinely cant tell if this is facetious
At a MF at a tier 1 city and I work 55-60 hours a week with not much weekend work and clear nearly $400k can't complain
I almost busted a nut reading this sentence
Advent?
WTF
Same. People would be surprised by lifestyle differences between groups at certain MFs. No matter how great your group is, live deals make it worse but I generally work 55-60 as well with no weekend work if not on a live deal and clear $400k
Where
Y'all hiring?
Bro WHAT
I don't think it's insight, a second year associate would easily clear $400k there
Where is this paradise you are speaking of?
Specific name is too broad of a category as it is too team/location/time dependent but:
- strategy that you're excited about
- people you can look up to and can mentor
- good level of responsibilities and space to move upwards
- rewarding compensation
Berkshire Partners - cool deals (Portillos, Cross Fit, etc), top of street pay, affiliated hedge fund known to hire from the PE side if you decide you want to explore that career path, and allegedly no partner has ever left the firm (says good things about culture).
too bad they prefer hiring consultants
IVP (late stage VC). 350-400k as first year associate, hours 9-6. Seems like they only hire from Q, GS TMT and MS Menlo though
do headhunters give you ranges for firm comp ahead of time? or do you only know once u get an offer
Not sure why this was downvoted, can confirm everything in the comment is true. They're starting to diversify a bit away from Q, GS, and MS but generally hire 1-2 associates a year and most often are from one of those three banks
Mediocre firm.
It’s getting down votes because people who don’t work at GS TMT, MS Menlo, or Qatalyst wouldn’t know any better, and they refuse to acknowledge the truth because it’ll bruise their little egos
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