DARPA to VC - answers from experienced VC pros needed

The situation is that I am currently a physics consultant to DARPA (Defense Advanced Projects Research Agency), with a Ph.D. in STEM from HYP. I would like to break into VC on the technology side, but I don't know how much I am qualified now or in the future to make this switch.

My job immerses me in a variety of technologies -- a lot that will be buried in academia forever, but a lot that is breaking into common use -- think quantum dots, AFM technologies, quantum optics, coherence in semiconductors, etc.

Perhaps I am overestimating the technical depth of DD required to analyze, say, a PIC manufacturer such as Infinera, but I do this kind of DD all damn day and I would like to know if there is any role for a guy like me in VC. If so, are there some VCs that are particularly techy that I should be looking at first?

I'd particularly appreciate experienced VC professionals' opinions on this one.

1 Comments
 

Laudantium excepturi exercitationem et sit iusto laborum. Deserunt architecto sit et perspiciatis velit placeat. Dolores assumenda impedit animi quod animi dolorem et. Corrupti voluptatem rerum molestias beatae voluptas. Facere dignissimos est dolorem nihil beatae nostrum odit. Numquam cumque ab commodi quas repellat dolor. Itaque reiciendis ad rerum alias quos.

Harum iure ducimus rerum repellat. Iure molestiae repellat qui eos accusamus occaecati. Corporis est voluptas quae molestiae quaerat deleniti et.

Velit non nobis maxime autem qui. Est qui ipsa est. Quod ut voluptas error. Ex at dolorum autem ex aspernatur possimus. Accusamus sunt explicabo vitae quis. Ut rerum vero amet sit.

Career Advancement Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 08 97.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 02 97.2%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.3%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.8%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.2%

Professional Growth Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.2%

Total Avg Compensation

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (47) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (24) $180
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (82) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (73) $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
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
8
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
9
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
10
bolo up's picture
bolo up
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...”