European PE firms, visibility in the US?

Hi guys,

I am currently interning in one of the major pan-european PE funds (think BC Partners, PAI partners, Cinven, Bridgepoint...) for a 6 months stint. The system is a bit different than in the US, as this has few chances to result in an offer.

My question regards how known this funds are in the US, and how well they are seen. Some megafunds in the US also have a strong European presence and are hence accustomed to dealing with/against those firms. My goal is to assess my chances of applying in the US next year for a summer / 1st year analyst position in PE.

Thanks for the help,

7 Comments
 
MiniMonkeyHi guys,

I am currently interning in one of the major pan-european PE funds (think BC Partners, PAI partners, Cinven, Bridgepoint...) for a 6 months stint. The system is a bit different than in the US, as this has few chances to result in an offer.

My question regards how known this funds are in the US, and how well they are seen. Some megafunds in the US also have a strong European presence and are hence accustomed to dealing with/against those firms. My goal is to assess my chances of applying in the US next year for a summer / 1st year analyst position in PE.

Thanks for the help,

just curious on how did you get this internship? Are you an MBA student? I think that any of the above mentioned firms are well known to megafunds in the US.

 
Best Response

Hi guys,

Thanks for the replies.

Gutshot: I know that BB or consulting XP are required to work in those types of funds. However, as I already have an experience in the place, I'll try and see whatever happens. I know a few people who actually made it straight into PE. Of course, I will also apply at BBs and MBBs ;)

Wamartinu: The French system is a bit different from the American one as we have to get way more field XP. I study in one of France's "Ivy" business schools and we actually have to do >1 year of internships to graduate. I landed my internship after 6 months in a strategic consulting boutique and 6 months as the assistant of a Fortune 400's Finance VP. I will graduate next year with an Msc and a double major (Corporate Finance + Private Equity).

As I said, I know some people who made the step of being hired in megafunds. However, they all work in the UK or France. Some close friends of mine also did internships in BBs in NYC or in firms like Triago but it seems very difficult to land anything in PE pre-MBA in the US.

Inputs very appreciated; keep it coming and don't hesitate if you have any further questions :)

Thanks,

 

Quite some time ago... but does anybody has more infos in Bridgepoint? In particular I am interested how well they are seen compared to BB´s. They seem to be quite active in Europe, what about the US?

 

All of the big PE firms know the major EU players. It will be difficult to go straight into PE out of school without the inside track. Take two years of IB and then try to enter a US firm.

 

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