T2 Consulting -> Tech Investing Options

Hi WSO -

I'm wrapping up my 1st year as an analyst at a tier II consulting firm. Most of my work so far has been DDs so looking to potentially jump to an associate role at a tech PE growth/buyout arms or traditional growth equity role. Hoping to get opinions, answers, and success/failure stories for the following:

1) Can Tier 2 consultants enter 'on-cycle' recruiting or will HHs tell you to take a hike? 2) I know unlikely to get a MF look, but is UMM possible for non-MBB consultants? Specifically - what do a Tier 2 consultant's chances look like at (a) SilverLake/Thoma Bravo/Vista/KKR/BX/BC ... (b) Advent/H&F/LGP/Golden Gate/Berkshire/Charlesbank? 3) Any smaller tech buyout firms that I can looking into? 4) My sense is that top growth shops like GA/NEA/Insight/IVP, and to some extent TA/TCV/Summit, all seem to recruit bankers and if consultants, MBB folks (probably from on-cycle). I have yet to see any associates on websites/linkedin from non-MBB so, is there a path for recruiting there? 5) I think the best strategy to entering this industry for someone without a banking/MBB background is to target the smaller growth equity shops many with sourcing models. Compiling a list of these companies and so far I have: Battery Ventures, Catalyst Investors, FTV Capital, Greycroft Growth, ICONIQ, JMI Equity (1), Lead Edge Capital, Radian Capital, Silversmith Capital, Spectrum Equity, Stripes Group, Susquehanna Growth(1), Volition Capital. Are any of these unlikely to hire consultants (right now - guess that list is FTV, ICONIQ, Spectrum)? Will any of the full list be sourcing-only at the associate level? Are any particularly good for moving 'upwards' to a KKR/BX/BC growth? Any others to add to this list?

(1) Outside NYC/SF/Boston

If you made it this far - thanks so much!