Are you allowed to work on your startup part time while working full time at your job?

I am interested in pursuing an investment management career at a mutual fund or hedge fund, but am also interested in entrepreneurship. Assuming I start working in investment management, I was wondering if there are any obstacles (besides time constraints) that may prevent me from continuing to pursue my entrepreneurship path at the same time?

7 Comments
 

Obviously there is going to be a Compliance issue/SEC regulation issue if your start up is anything Financial Services based, and will take time to evaluate if it's acceptable.

Tech startups, foundations, small business ideas, etc? Yes, but still need to go through your companies compliance and notify them. Same with any board positions (especially if it is an investment committee)

Source: my time doing side businesses while in Investment Management.

 

I currently work part-time at a quite big AM shop and in my contract it says I am not allowed to do any other work unless it is e.g. charity (this is done to negate any possible conflict of interests/compliance issues). Best option is probably to look in the contract or talk with HR.

 
"Ddeong" I currently work part-time at a quite big AM shop and in my contract it says I am not allowed to do any other work unless it is e.g. charity (this is done to negate any possible conflict of interests/compliance issues). Best option is probably to look in the contract or talk with HR.

That's rather generous of them. I need to report anything that could take up my time on a regular basis, including unpaid positions at charity organizations. Hell, I even needed to report the sublet of an apartment I had lived in until work made me move as an outside business activity.

The only difference between Asset Management and Investment Research is assets. I generally see somebody I know on TV on Bloomberg/CNBC etc. once or twice a week. This sounds cool, until I remind myself that I see somebody I know on ESPN five days a week.
 
"Ddeong" I am what is probably equivalent to a semester intern? So the rules on us is maybe more chill than for full time employees. But that sounds insane man, are you based in Europe as well or the US?

US, upper mid-level quant investment/ops employee at a mega-shop. I don't bat an eyelash at anything less than 8 figures worth of investment. Our rules are pretty universal though.

The only difference between Asset Management and Investment Research is assets. I generally see somebody I know on TV on Bloomberg/CNBC etc. once or twice a week. This sounds cool, until I remind myself that I see somebody I know on ESPN five days a week.
 
Most Helpful

Earum veniam aut dolor qui. Laboriosam ea ut dolores corrupti quidem non. Qui mollitia quis ea provident aliquam explicabo eum. Officia repellat doloremque est voluptas et corrupti mollitia.

Cupiditate exercitationem ducimus dolores ipsa distinctio earum. Occaecati ipsum sit pariatur odit rerum sint. Aliquam autem odio deserunt delectus quidem et rerum. Ipsum necessitatibus rerum quo et qui unde.

Dolorum officiis deleniti amet dolor minima voluptas ea. Rerum qui consequatur sed sequi est.

Soluta doloribus iusto totam. Molestias omnis dicta architecto necessitatibus et fugit. Nihil ad et fugit voluptate.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.2%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.2%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.6%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.2%
  • JPMorgan No 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (43) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (75) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (66) $101
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...”