Leaving IB for Startup

I'm an AN1 at a decent MM shop in a pretty unique group (think Pipar). Not trying to brag, but I'm under the impression most people at the bank are envious of our group since we do investments / co-investments and are not very client serving.

Despite all the glory associated with being buyside it is not all glitter and gold. Fact is, I don't like it and I don't think we have performed well through COVID so its no like comp will be great.

I've been approached by a credible startup (think series A secured) to run a division / project overseeing 5-10 people (not engineers but somewhat blue-collar type.)

Comp is likely 70-80K base with some equity and raises pending good performance.

What do you all think? I'm pretty set on a 2 year max in this industry and frankly would be fine and kind of intend to leave once bonus hits in the summer.

Long term would like to own / operate a business or be an exec at a startup.

13 Comments
 
Most Helpful
Analyst 1 in IB - Gen

I'm an AN1 at a decent MM shop in a pretty unique group (think Pipar). Not trying to brag, but I'm under the impression most people at the bank are envious of our group since we do investments / co-investments and are not very client serving.

Despite all the glory associated with being buyside it is not all glitter and gold. Fact is, I don't like it and I don't think we have performed well through COVID so its no like comp will be great.

I've been approached by a credible startup (think series A secured) to run a division / project overseeing 5-10 people (not engineers but somewhat blue-collar type.)

Comp is likely 70-80K base with some equity and raises pending good performance.

What do you all think? I'm pretty set on a 2 year max in this industry and frankly would be fine and kind of intend to leave once bonus hits in the summer.

Long term would like to own / operate a business or be an exec at a startup.

Emphasis in bold mine.

You have answered your own question. No better way to be prepped/learn by doing. And if you want to own/operate a business or be at a startup, isn't that the role that you have been offered? Sure it's a bit more risky but banking isn't the most stable profession and you don't seem to like it much.

Good Luck!

I used to do Asia-Pacific PE (kind of like FoF). Now I do something else but happy to try and answer questions on that stuff.
 

Try and negotiate a little higher of a base but other than that sounds reasonable and pretty good comp for the type of company and your experience. Of course people have gotten more but many don’t realize how low these jobs pay.

It seems like a management type of role though, at what point do you get equity? If its your direct senior report then it looks like a good opportunity.

 

Honestly, I'm such a person who is opened for all new things and I think I would try, on your place. But anyway you need to find out more information in advance

 

Ad expedita odio quidem est saepe atque qui. Animi eum delectus eum enim. Incidunt nihil et iusto maxime aliquam harum et. Dolorem voluptas eligendi ex dolorum. Vitae necessitatibus sapiente quis natus voluptas.

Ipsum animi qui doloribus impedit non et est. Sunt eum impedit eaque assumenda saepe eius. Fugit exercitationem doloremque eligendi eos voluptatem sit odit. Odit amet odio itaque aliquid ut ipsam perspiciatis. Sed repudiandae perferendis praesentium autem nostrum culpa blanditiis. Et deserunt sit reiciendis illo neque illum. Omnis in voluptas molestias laboriosam sit eius.

Aut vel maxime voluptatem assumenda consequatur fugiat. Aliquam inventore recusandae quis sint. Atque tempore accusantium numquam voluptate dolorem.

Incidunt nemo eius vitae saepe libero facere architecto. Recusandae exercitationem molestiae autem tempora perferendis non. Aut voluptatem ipsam iusto animi id distinctio aut sed. Sint recusandae enim consequatur saepe.

Career Advancement Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • Guggenheim Partners No 97.2%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.3%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.2%

Professional Growth Opportunities

July 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

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (46) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (23) $182
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (81) $150
  • 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
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
6
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
7
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
10
Mimbs's picture
Mimbs
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...”