KKR vs Brookfield vs Stonepeak vs KKR. Input pls + thanks.

Any thoughts/views on some of the infra shops in NY? Looking to know more about culture, comp, pros and cons.

How do the groups compare - KKR, Brookfield, Stonepeak, GIP etc.? Hoping to hear the positives, but there is always another side of the story, regardless of where you go.

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Very different view junior vs senior but assuming entry-lvl associate here:

In general all 4 places have pretty stiff culture, with GIP probably being the worst from an intensity/respect-for-your-time standpoint and Brookfield being the worst from an uptight/in-office "We Are Brookfield" standpoint (assuming the Toronto office which I believe is full suit and tie - someone please correct me if I am horribly mistaken)

Pay will be KKR~>Stonepeak=GIP>>>Brookfield - GIP used to be the highest but has went down a bit slightly - still very above-market but not as market-leading as it used to be. And FYI when I say that just recognize that the first 3 names here literally pay the most within infra - keep in mind this is all on a relative basis...Stonepeak hired a ton over the last year so TBD on how that shakes out. KKR Infra has been a bigger focus for the firm in the last few years - they poached CapDyn MDs / team back in 2021 and have been very busy since. Brookfield all-in lower in every regard (cash/bonus) and also in C$ so there's that. The difference in the first 3 names will be 20-30K max btwn lowest and highest. Difference between 3rd and 4th can be 130K+ after FX rate

Upward mobility will be approx the same at all with various shadow carry / actual carry thresholds at senior associate - GIP might be a bit tougher to crack VP+ given higher head count and longer track record. MBA not needed / somewhat even encouraged to not go and stay2grind - applies for all

Flexibility in mandate: KKR=Stonepeak>>GIP=Brookfield - Can be a plus or a minus depending on how you look at it but the former 2 names are more willing to look at asset-light and low churn/services businesses whereas the latter 2 tend to be much more disciplined. Will also add that Brookfield separates its non-energy infra group (led by Brian Baker) and its renewable/energy transition efforts so your experience here will be more streamlined upfront vs the other names 

All great places to start your career. All 4 universally regarded as some of the sharpest minds in the business that are consistently on the largest-cap deals in the space

If you know you want to do an MBA, and this is just a platform for you to do a few years, would go with KKR just given the more generally recognizable name in the admissions process

 

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