MBB consultant-friendly PE firm?

Hi all,

Currently working as a BA/AC/A at MBB in North America. Interested long-term in the search fund route. Hoping to join a PE firm in North America after a few years in consulting. Question for you all - what are some PE firms you'd suggest I consider looking at based on these goals and the below criteria:


- Consultant-friendly PE firm (i.e., not exclusive to hiring ex-IB)

- At least some middle market deal exposure (would think this would be very transferable for search fund)

- Strong brand name (given my lack of finance experience)

Any suggestions and starting points would be very helpful as I'm just beginning to think about all this.

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Firms to look at by city below - tried to be comprehensive but am sure I missed some

NYC: Hellman & Friedman (non-HQ), Advent (non-HQ), Warburg Pincus, CD&R (recently started taking consultants), Permira (growth), New Mountain Capital, Sycamore Partners, AEA Investors, Charlesbank (non-HQ), TSG Consumer (non-HQ), GI Partners (non-HQ), Apax (rare), EQT (Infrastructure only), Cinven, Astorg, Insight Partners (growth equity), Lee Equity Partners, Grain Management (non-HQ), Altaris, Solamere Partners, HIG Capital (non-HQ), Arcline (non-HQ), Invus Group, Onex

Boston: Bain Capital, Advent, Berkshire Partners, TA Associates, Charlesbank, Baypine, Audax Group, Cove Hill, TH Lee Partners, Parthenon Capital, Summit Partners (growth equity), Spectrum Equity (growth equity), Nonantum Capital Partners, AVALT, HIG Capital (non-HQ)

SF/Menlo/Palo Alto: Hellman & Friedman, TPG, Advent (tech only), Warburg (tech only), Francisco Partners, Golden Gate Capital, HGGC, GI Partners, Permira (growth), TSG Consumer Partners, FFL, Altamont Capital Partners, Serent Capital (non-HQ), TA Associates (non-HQ), Parthenon Capital (non-HQ), Summit (non-HQ), Percheron Capital, Arcline (non-HQ)

LA: Clearlake (rare), Marlin Equity, Ares (are open to consultants but not sure if they’ve taken any)

Chicago: GTCR (rare), Madison Dearborn (rare), BDT

Austin: TA Associates (non-HQ), Serent Capital, Haveli Investments, Blue Sage Capital, Parthenon Capital (non-HQ)

Atlanta: Roark Capital (recently started taking consultants)

Miami: HIG Capital

Dallas: Gauge Capital, Arctos Sports Partners (haven’t taken consultants but are open to them)

DC: Grain Management, JMI Equity (growth)

Nashville: Arcline

 

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