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

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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. 

 

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