Hey guys, how are you?
I'm kind of new in this forum (actually a long time silent reader...), and I was wondering if you would could help me with some stuff that have been running in my head for a couple of months.
First, let me tell you my background in order to make some sense in the forthcoming question.. I am in mi mid 20s from Argentina, I have a BSc in Economy and a Master's degree in finance. I am also enrrolled to sit for CFA I next June. Regarding my work experience, I have 3 years of experience in rating agencies (top 3 CRA).
My doubt, which brings me here with you folks, is that I would like to make the jump into the VC world in a couple of years, and I was wondering what is the best path to do so. My current plan (still a draft-plan actually) would be to move to the UK in two years (for personal stuff) and take advantage of being there (hopefully still working in my same company) and start a part-time MBA (i've seen that Imperial college has a part-time MBA in London, how good is it?) in order to hold that degree when coming back to my country.
If that was the path taken, I would be then making the jump into VC with, hopefully, an MBA and the first two levels of the CFAtaken, along with 7 years of experience in rating agencies, at the age of 29-30. Do you think this is a good plan? Am I missing something? Am I taking unecessary steps towards my goal?
I would really appreciate your comments and help. Many thanks in advance, and sorry for the inconvenience and long message.
Regards,
In my opinion, it's best to get tech/operations/product management experience before even thinking about this path.
VC is almost exclusively made up of three types of people:
Tech people who were in the Startup realm (normally with prestigious backgrounds) Finance people who went through an IB --> wherever --> VC (normally with prestigious backgrounds) Founder/key-level early hires who had an exit in surplus of 250MM+
Thanks for your replies. Kind of a bummer to hear the (ugly) truth... but well.. Going forward on my potential path, do you think a part time MBA from Imperial college is good? (By good I don't mean to compare it to a full time MBA from LBS where being head hunted is certain, I mean in terms of being recognized in order to change industries with a good position).
Thanks and cheers!
If you want to change industries, you should really pursue a full time MBA. For you to ever get closer to a path where VC might be a reality, you really need to jump to the tech industry as soon as possible. Ratings agencies provide you with zero relevant experience. You can probably make a jump to something in tech even without a MBA, but you'll likely need to work your way up.
As others have stated, if this was the path in the U.S. you'd have a very hard time breaking into VC but you want to go back to Argentina if I understand correctly. Which leads me to the question: does Argentina have much of an established and institutional VC industry? It could be different there.
Can't see a transition of ratings agency experience into VC (perhaps due to my ignorance of the ratings world).
If you think about the key requirements of an analyst...
-Understanding / analysing / scoping markets -Understanding a products key functionality / USP, also, how to scale said product in a market -Understanding the strategy of how to take this product to market, or improve the distribution channels -Analysis of management who are expected to execute on said strategy
Add in to this understanding of valuation, exit process, diligence etc. I fail to see how pre-MBA experience in a ratings agency is of tangible value.
It's possible to get a VC job as a grad so logically it should be possible to get in as long as you're willing to go back to square 1, i guess. Lots of luck required though.
Why do you actually want a VC job?
Since you have ratings experience, there are a handful of startup/growth credit funds.. might be a nice transition.
CFA is useless for VC, more or less.
Eum iusto dolor dolor accusantium libero. Cumque saepe dolor explicabo ad impedit.
Adipisci sint dicta facilis consequuntur pariatur voluptas. Aut quas culpa deleniti consequuntur repellendus. Officiis et est iusto explicabo iste laborum est. Laudantium hic et est est et iusto iste vitae. Reiciendis distinctio dolore perspiciatis veniam illum.
Architecto magni quos ex rerum. Minus dolores et in. Tempore alias eos ducimus at. Quis vitae quibusdam quia autem officia aut.
Recusandae sint rerum officiis delectus sit omnis aperiam. Maiores doloribus expedita omnis est. Eum distinctio tempora deserunt recusandae quisquam.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...