Crossover vs. GE Funds
I'm trying to learn more about the GE and Crossover space. Why would someone choose one over the other? From what I've read, you can work in GE at a Crossover Fund, but at most funds, you can only focus on public or private investments. So, what would make someone choose private investing at a Crossover Fund over a GE fund?
Also, I noticed that some of the top guys at Crossover Funds are pulling in serious money. I'm assuming those are the people on the public side, not the private team? I'm new to this space, so I sorry if I sound dumb
Based on the most helpful WSO content, here's what you need to know:
Crossover Funds vs. GE Funds:
Why Choose Private Investing at a Crossover Fund Over a GE Fund?:
Compensation Dynamics:
Key Considerations:
Ultimately, the choice depends on your career goals, interests, and the type of work environment you thrive in. Both paths can lead to significant financial and professional success.
Sources: Differences between Co-invest and Secondaries?, Why Are Fund of Funds looked down upon?, https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forums/the-only-post-about-active-investing-you-will-ever-need-to-read?customgpt=1, Hedge funds vs. Mutual funds, Why do Top PE analysts / associates go to Tiger Cubs?
Every firm is unique. You can't generalize saying crossover is universally better than traditional growth equity or vice versa. There are great and terrible crossover firms, and there are great and terrible GE firms. There are firms that pay extremely well in both categories too.
Thanks, I was more interested in understanding why someone would choose one type of firm over the other if they are both doing private investments? I’d assume the work would be the same, no?
For example, I see a lot of people from shops like GA, Insight, TCV and others go to firms like Tiger, Altimeter, Coatue. If they were on the private investment teams at these crossovers, what’s the reason for the switch? Money? I’d assume pay would be the similar unless you went to the public’s side.
Generally the crossover funds are leaner so an individual investor can have more responsibility (see how many investors Altimeter has vs. GA). But that doesn't necessarily mean they're better for everyone. Some of them have horrible cultures. Some do irresponsible things like Tiger did in 2021 & shoot themselves in the foot. Maybe they didn't get along with the senior partners at Insight but jive really well with the Laffonts at Coatue. I wouldn't read too much into individual moves. These are all solid shops. You can make amazing $$ at any of these firms.
"Growth Equity" is the most bastardized phrase of the century and is pretty much 80%+ LMM buyout for lightly capitalized vertical software companies. If you google "Growth Equity Firms" 20 out of 24 of those firms are doing mostly majority deals with a touch of debt.
In terms of Classic GE (read: Late-Stage VC), it can at a VC (GC, a16z, Thrive), GE (GA, GreenOaks, DST) or HF (Tiger/Tiger Cubs). Each of these varies a lot.
Tell me about it. I got fooled during on-cycle recruiting and ended up at a shop that does “Growth Equity”. That’s exactly what I don’t want to do. Definitely late stage VC. Do you know how these vary? I’m not trying to make this mistake again lol
They got us both. Would say those roles are more similar than they are different. HF crossovers will take a more market research-oriented approach to pipeline, VC firms will dig from the well of early-stage companies they have, and GE standalones will have you sourcing 100% of the time, but for actual minority high-growth deals instead of bootstrapped VMS shitcos. Hard to tell without talking to people on the team as headhunters and firms will heavily obfuscate the actual nature of their work to get you to sign. Greatest "tell" for funding this sort of firm is lots of syndication in the Series-B+ of the companies they invest in - the companies doing LMM buyout never let other shops into the deal so if I see only one sponsor on the press release that usually disqualifies it.
I am also curious here, if you could get a job at a Coatue / Altimeter growth (privates) or a BOND / IVP, which would you take and why?
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