IB->PE->PortCo role

Does anyone have any insight into the attractiveness / probability of success to this path? Curious on attractiveness vs. staying in PE from a comp / lifestyle / career trajectory perspective.

Thanks in advance for any info

5 Comments
 
Most Helpful

PE to Portco path, particularly if you join a hands on / operationally focused fund is possible.

The question is whether those types of shops like to hire from an IB or MC background?

Also would suggest targeting a smaller PE fund as bigger PE funds with bigger PortCos can afford higher quality management. So if they can choose between someone with significant demonstrated experience vs unproven then that might be more challenging.

Payoff wise, if you pick the right portco then you have single asset exposure and presumably you’ll be on the management equity plan. The real prize would probably come from either a) getting more senior and getting more of the management incentive in PE back companies over multiple instances or b) joining a company before PE is involved and getting two bites at the cherry with the same company (one when PE first buys in and one when PE exits)

 

The advantage of going IB > PE > Portco rather than IB > PortCo is that you'll have a better appreciation for the types of businesses that have a higher probability to generating significant equity returns over a short time period. 

The other thing to keep in mind is that you do get to re-up with the existing portco when it changes hands as the incoming buyer usually refreshes the MEP to keep existing management. 

 

Culpa aut quas soluta cum minus quas. Eligendi beatae id qui qui nisi omnis est aperiam. Ullam consequuntur repellat temporibus et. Ut repellendus eos tenetur eos et ex et. Alias ipsam at ducimus qui eum enim. Eos voluptatem architecto repellendus aut error sed voluptatem.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Private Equity

  • The Riverside Company 99.6%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 99.2%
  • Blackstone Group 98.9%
  • Warburg Pincus 98.5%
  • Bain Capital 98.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Private Equity

  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 99.6%
  • The Riverside Company 99.2%
  • Ardian 98.9%
  • Blackstone Group 98.5%
  • Starwood Capital Group 98.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Private Equity

  • Bain Capital 99.6%
  • The Riverside Company 99.2%
  • Blackstone Group 98.9%
  • Starwood Capital Group 98.5%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 98.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Private Equity

  • Principal (9) $653
  • Director/MD (24) $547
  • Vice President (97) $363
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (104) $281
  • 2nd Year Associate (234) $272
  • 1st Year Associate (411) $229
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (33) $157
  • 2nd Year Analyst (95) $134
  • 1st Year Analyst (271) $124
  • Intern/Summer Associate (37) $80
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (351) $61
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
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
6
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
7
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
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...”