BB IBD or corporate VC

I have a strong corporate strategy background and am currently with a top tier financial services firm. Have an m7 mba as well.

If my goal is to be a buyside investor making a decent amount of money, is it better to go into banking and try to shoot for a MM PE/VC or go into a corporate venture group which often doesn't care whether you did banking or not? My only concern is the pay associated with corporate venture and whether not having a banking experience will hurt my exit opps in the future.

8 Comments
 
Best Response

Yeah, I know most pharma/biotechs forms a corporate VC-type group. Google has one and I assume most of the major tech companies do too.

I know it was met with a bunch of fanfare at the company I was at, but seemed basically useless. I would have been pissed if I bought the hype and went for that job if I had other good offers.

twitter: @CorpFin_Guy
 

I generally agree with your conclusion, but should be clear that my direct experience is with only 1 F500 company. That said, my impression is that it was similar at other companies in my previous industry.

I think this role at Google or other top tech companies could be pretty awesome

twitter: @CorpFin_Guy
 

Do the interview and get the offer first, before having to decide. Let's say, hypothetically, that you get both... is the bank a BB, MM, or boutique? Because it sounds the VC/PE shop isn't too large. I'd say BB and MM IB>the pe/VC shop.

However, PE/VC shop is likely better than most boutiques (not exclusive ones).

Ask the PE shop how often deals happen. That can help determine your experience.

 

Minus nemo quas recusandae doloremque eaque molestiae dolorem. Enim exercitationem ipsum occaecati labore ea tenetur occaecati. Consequatur alias et numquam aspernatur nisi perspiciatis. Sunt praesentium omnis quibusdam. Magnam et consectetur quam atque quasi. Molestiae accusantium itaque cupiditate quas fugit non ullam. Autem itaque quia aut autem voluptatem suscipit sunt.

Career Advancement Opportunities

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 99.0%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Guggenheim Partners 02 97.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 97.4%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 99.0%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.9%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.4%

Professional Growth Opportunities

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 99.0%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • JPMorgan No 97.4%

Total Avg Compensation

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (57) $264
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (28) $184
  • Intern/Summer Associate (16) $161
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (76) $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
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
10
Mimbs's picture
Mimbs
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...”