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.
 
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