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GS TMT, MS, Qatalyst are your top banks for VC. You tend to see plenty of those guys littered throughout different stage VC firms across the valley. I’m sure you see plenty of others but candidly if you go to any top bank’s tech group and hustle for VC you’ll be fine
what about mergers and acquisitions / sponsors? For most banks, the tech group isn't a "top group" in terms for exits other than Gs and Ms Menlo
I’m sure M&A would be fine but VCs don’t have the same appreciation for pedigree vis-a-vis which group you come from. It’s advantageous to be familiar with the tech markets because that context is extremely important for the job.
Said above already but GS TMT, Q, MS menlo all great. GS and MS work with a lot of earlier stage companies since they’re the best in IPOs.
If you’re in a M&A group you want to either target late stage VC OR make sure you work on a lot of “soft” materials in the marketing stage to get a real grip on the industry.
what groups outside of M&A can break into VC? can dcm/ecm or other product groups make that transition?
Outside of GS TMT SF / MS Tech (Menlo or NYC, but pref to Menlo) / Q, it doesn't really matter from what I've seen - unless your experience is incredibly applicable (i.e., leading IPOs or sellsides for top venture-backed companies like you're doing at the three banks mentioned), it's all down to the individual.
If you're truly set on VC, target one of those three (Tech ECM at GS or MS also works, have had strong VC exits from those groups as well as classic IBD). Otherwise, go for the group you'll enjoy the most / be most successful at.
Work at a PJT/EVR/LAZ M&A type group. Plenty of exits to top VC/GE funds like GA, Insight, TCV, etc.
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