Hey everyone, I'm currently an IB analyst who's pretty set on co-founding a startup after the analyst stint ends. Obviously going to be pretty risky and I'm nervous, but have confidence and conviction in the playbook and idea. Co-founder and I have a good VC/entrepreneur network and think getting VC-backed is feasible (but nothing is guaranteed in life of course). Will probably live the first year or so on my savings built from working in IB.
Was just wondering that if I see the startup not going to work out after 2/3 years, what do you think would be feasible steps after?
Currently at a top EB M&A role if that matters; would it be easy to get into VC/get into PE? Is an IB analyst role even valuable 2/3 years after? I just don't know anyone in my network who's gone this route so am trying to level set expectations.
I really believe that co-founder experience will be super valuable and truthfully think I'm at the age where I should just full-send opportunities so I don't regret not trying later.
In the likely event of a failure, I currently see joining a VC or getting an MBA to reset (then return to IB/PE) to be the most feasible paths, but would appreciate any insight/precedent paths of people you all may know.
Thanks!
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Tough market to start a company as a young person RN. Good luck. I wouldn't stay in banking much longer. Consider staying to senior associate and then leaving (when the economy hopefully isn't freezing over).
Definitely get that, but I can't see myself staying for too much longer lol... the job is soul-destroying as it is. Hopefully the tough market will force us to build a better product and compromise on quality
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Totally agree - 8 months is more like when I would quit my current role and go all in. At the moment we are doing in-depth industry due diligence and product validation, but definitely plan to spend minimum 2-3 years really trying to build it out then seeing options from there. Not expecting to become big-time rich or anything from this, but see it as an investment in myself and just an experience to learn a lot at once. Hopefully will make for some interesting stories/experiences in future endeavors
Stop being a virgin and just do it. Your product is more important than your network. Most early stage VCs will talk to anyone.
Yes to some extents. In B2B, having product-market fit trumps all (and having a network helps you achieve PMF through easier user feedback and easier initial customers). A bad product in a good market >>> good product in a bad market
Honestly good advice, appreciate the candidness. We're trying to grind out the next few months to really validate product before we go all in so product > network is absolutely the goal.
why dont you do the startup rn?
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