Goldman Sachs vs Startup

Hello guys
I recently joined wallstreetoasis and find it very helpful.
I am computer science masters student. I have two full time offers in my hand and I am really confused to which one to choose.
First one is Goldman Sachs. My position there is new associate programmer analyst (position for freshers). Other offer is from a financial buy side startup with just 10 15 people in it. Position over there is software developer.
Salary wise, startup company is offering me 20% more base salary than GS. But it lacks in other perks like 401k.

I would like your advise on pros and cons of joining startup company vs joining big company like GS.

3 Comments
 
Best Response

As far as startups go, you've basically given us no relevant information other than headcount.

Does it have funding? If so, then from whom? Does the investor know the space well? Are they just piggybacking on the idea or are they actually adding value? Is the company making any sort of material revenue? Is there opportunity for you to receive some significant package of options? Is this a truly unique idea or an imitation that thinks it can materially differentiate itself? How saturated is the space? How complex is the technology? How many other engineers developers are there already? Does this company have an active IP strategy? Who are the founders? What sort of exits have they had in the past? Who do they know in the valley?

Figure out the answers to a lot of these questions before making a decision. A 15 person FinTech startup can just as easily be an $500m company or a -$5m company, it's important to know the difference.

“Millionaires don't use astrology, billionaires do”
 

Molestias aut deleniti sit facilis labore temporibus quae quasi. At doloremque id error quia rerum doloribus. Nulla quam totam quia vel id quo suscipit. Qui minus laudantium similique eaque. Rerum autem corrupti aut hic saepe.

Enim alias amet minima dolores omnis fugiat qui. Explicabo eaque consequatur similique nihil natus hic rerum eligendi. Laudantium quia autem aspernatur nulla. Odio omnis nihil placeat.

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 (25) $178
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (83) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (74) $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
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
6
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
7
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
10
Linda Abraham's picture
Linda Abraham
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...”