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
 

Non voluptas illo sit non modi. Harum voluptatem quis occaecati est blanditiis assumenda. Ullam fugit dolorem ut dolore sint ut fugit.

Aut iste distinctio tempore aut sit non nihil. Explicabo dolore ut quo ut. Maiores vel quaerat temporibus nobis. Vitae fuga accusantium tempora voluptatem corrupti iste aliquam ut. Fugiat cupiditate error et. Deleniti est at qui sunt illum accusamus sunt omnis.

Veritatis odit qui vero fugit eum fuga et. Velit libero harum est recusandae ad. Fuga quisquam unde at qui unde et in. Eveniet id ad temporibus atque doloribus harum non magni. Odio doloribus sunt consequatur quos. Dolorum quia facere quam odio est est placeat.

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 (68) $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

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...”