M&A at PE portco or Corporate M&A?

I know this question is certainly more personal in nature and hard to get advice without a lot of details but just throwing it out there. I’ve been in corpdev/M&A for 7 years, mostly at publiccos after initially starting in FDD at a big4. My current company is pretty unstable so I’ve been looking. Profitability and technology concerns in a nascent industry. Currently have an offer for another publicco and would be the #2 on the team. Definitely appears more stable with good experience above me to continue to learn. Targets would likely be tech type assets though the company is not in tech, but working through a digitization. This appealing since my background is mostly manufacturing/CPG and energy. I’m also very close to receiving an offer at a large portco (+$1bn rev) of a PE right outside the top 10, to similarly be the #2. Current team there is a team of 1. Typical roll up strategy. Equity not currently on the table but valuation is already high so working on negotiating a transaction bonus when they have a liquidity event. Management represents the PE is relatively hands off as most of the c suite has been intact pre-buyout. Trying to think through the options so any thoughts are much appreciated. The instability of my current company has given me more responsibility so I’ve been enjoying that entrepreneurial mentality but I also have 2 young kids and the level of volume/activity with limited resources could be a bit daunting for the portco. That’s assuming management is misrepresenting to an extent. Cash comp is similar for both (and a bit lower than I’d want but completely manageable). Publicco has a reasonable annual equity grant and TBD on more as I noted on the portco. I have no idea what I want to do in 10 years (currently 36 now). Typical millennial lol. Thanks all!

1 Comments
 

Esse enim aspernatur est minima. Laboriosam et mollitia quos vero ut consequatur nam. Quas voluptate placeat quaerat ut praesentium fuga. Ea vel voluptates optio quia eos. Accusantium cum molestias iste nulla saepe.

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
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
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
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
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...”