Path to Partner VC
Hello, I am actively applying/networking for internships in VC for this summer. I was wondering in the case of a FT return offer do analyst/associates have a decent path to partner at a VC firm in 10-15 years. Or would VC analyst/associate be a waist of my time looking at the end goal?
My end goal is partner at a top firm like a16z, Benchmarck, Greylock, Sequoia. I am having trouble deciding what to do this summer. Should I be applying for internships in VC/IB, or should I be applying to portfolio companies? I do not plan on starting my own business while in college. I understand that there is no "Path" to partner. I have been reaching out to some of the alumni at these firms earlier this morning, but have not gotten any responses yet.
There is no path unless it's a firm that does a ton of growth/late stage and at that point I wouldn't really call it VC.
Do you have any recommendations as to what I should go about doing over the summer? I have been looking at a Lyft internship that I think I would get if I applied for it but, I go to school in the mid-west and relocating to SF for a summer would probably cost more than what I am getting paid unless I couch surf in the tenderloin.
Honestly, I am up for just about anything that involves learning about startups or the buying/selling and advising of companies.
IB is the best and most flexible route. I always love hiring ex-IB guys for our operating companies because they are great on the BI side and can usually think well. Investment banks also tend to hire really well as opposed to startups like Lyft/Uber who have a lot of less than brilliant people working for them. I had a very high level ex-tech co engineer working with us as a partner before and was never really impressed with her versus my ex-IB employees.
I am pretty sure most of the recruitment is over for this summer for IB, but I'll have to look into it for next summer.
Start your own company -> get VC funding -> sell -> use your experience to be partner at VC firm. Seriously though. a16z basically only employees ex-founders.
Start you own business —> get VC funding —> sell—> go to Stanford GSB or Berkely Haas—> join elite VC group —> climb ranks with experience and elite degree.
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