Search Funds - is this still a thing?

I remember that I was interviewing for a search fund internship a few years ago while I was in college. Now I’m starting at business school and think it would be a really incredible way to enjoy a lot of responsibility early on in my post mba career.

I haven’t heard much about search funds over the past few years. Is this still an option for MBAs? Does anyone have insights?

 
Most Helpful

Search funds are still a thing. I joined some friends at the HBS ETA conference last winter, and the event was well attended, with a mix of searchers, investors, and, of course, service providers.

There's an ETA event hosted by Chicago Booth in November that you can check out where you can chat with searchers and other students who are considering the path. There isn't a firm rule that says you have to wait until finishing your MBA to start. I've met a few people who started while in school and had business ready to operate by the time they graduated. It requires a meaningful time commitment, but you can also leverage school resources and the fact that you don't yet have student debt bills to get a head start in the process.

2020 Update: recounting my experiences in PE and sharing thoughts on recent deals at https://leverup.substack.com
 

Are there any conferences in broader EU or UK area in 2019? I just saw some old events organized by LBS, IE and that's all. I am very interested in search funds but it looks like this is a US thing. BTW @BoutiqueBaboon what kind of service providers were there (business brokers, lawyers,... or...) ?

 

Aut voluptates qui deserunt fuga. Quia eveniet eos dolor nihil eveniet tenetur. Assumenda sit minima suscipit sequi. Eos dolorum voluptatum ea et ad.

Velit dolores nesciunt quasi aspernatur delectus quisquam neque. Est dignissimos quo rerum incidunt ut aspernatur voluptatibus. Distinctio aut suscipit libero deleniti quia qui.

Dolores quo laudantium laboriosam asperiores aut. Molestiae voluptatem autem repudiandae. At aut nesciunt et. Labore officiis dicta odit qui.

Eligendi repellat nam vitae alias minus vel iste. Aut aspernatur sed velit inventore et odio. Quo cumque hic debitis quia rem quam. Non iure ut voluptates reprehenderit quibusdam nesciunt et. Mollitia expedita in suscipit et minus reprehenderit omnis ipsum.

Career Advancement Opportunities

May 2024 Private Equity

  • The Riverside Company 99.5%
  • Blackstone Group 99.0%
  • Warburg Pincus 98.4%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 97.9%
  • Bain Capital 97.4%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

May 2024 Private Equity

  • The Riverside Company 99.5%
  • Blackstone Group 98.9%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 98.4%
  • Ardian 97.9%
  • Bain Capital 97.4%

Professional Growth Opportunities

May 2024 Private Equity

  • The Riverside Company 99.5%
  • Bain Capital 99.0%
  • Blackstone Group 98.4%
  • Warburg Pincus 97.9%
  • Starwood Capital Group 97.4%

Total Avg Compensation

May 2024 Private Equity

  • Principal (9) $653
  • Director/MD (22) $569
  • Vice President (92) $362
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (91) $281
  • 2nd Year Associate (206) $268
  • 1st Year Associate (388) $229
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (29) $154
  • 2nd Year Analyst (83) $134
  • 1st Year Analyst (246) $122
  • Intern/Summer Associate (32) $82
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (315) $59
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
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
6
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
numi's picture
numi
98.8
10
Kenny_Powers_CFA's picture
Kenny_Powers_CFA
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...”