Q&A: HK IB to Strategy & Operations @ AI Company
I have used WSO extensively a few years back, although now I do not come here often.
At first, I wasn't sure whether I am qualified to do an Q&A since I am by no means a senior banker or someone who has worked at a top BB or MF. Have a few friends who are really curious about how I pivoted from a tier-2/2.5/3 (vagueness intended) HK IBD to this AI startup with >USD 10 Million of funding doing S&O work. It is actually more than 10 million, but I do not want to give a more accurate ballpark for privacy purposes.
Me:
I do not have a shiny background. Worked in (Lower) Middle Market IB back in NYC. Went to Hong Kong to mainly work on IPOs for healthcare clients.
Before this AI startup, I had a few opportunities to work at top-tier / second-tier private equity funds and/or hedge funds in China Mainland and/or Hong Kong. Eventually, due to a variety of factors, I did not go to any one of them.
Had a hard time getting out of healthcare related positions.
Now:
It's a well-funded AI startup. I still work a lot, just less manufactured work. Most of my time is spent on business development (negotiations) and operational work (anything that needs to be done). Strategy work consists of around 25% of my time at this stage.
I also serve as a software engineering intern for the guy who's responsible for integrating the product's API. He is a very nice dude. My coding skill is rather rudimentary, although seems to be enough to contribute at least something. About two days per week.
Based on the most helpful WSO content, here's what you need to know about transitioning from HK IB to Strategy & Operations at an AI company:
Background:
Current Role:
Key Points:
This AMA provides insights into the journey from a tier-2/2.5/3 HK IBD to a dynamic role in an AI startup, highlighting the diverse skill set and adaptability required for such a transition.
Sources: Q&A: From Sellside Research to Strategy & Finance at Rapid Growth Start-up, Q&A: HK IBD, Start up = Career suicide? Want to get into IBD. Need advice and mentorship., Q&A: From Sellside Research to Strategy & Finance at Rapid Growth Start-up, Q&A: Alternative Path to F100 Corporate Strategy w/ Exit Details
Hey thanks for doing this.
As someone interested in breaking into Hong Kong but without Mandarin language skills, what doors (from your experience) are open? I’ve heard S&T is possible, and maybe even ECM related banking (which it seems like you were doing?)
In general, what advice would you give for an english only speaker like me from a good UK school looking to break into HK?
1. 95% of people in HK IBD are doing ECM/DCM type of work. There are few M&A spots to take. You are way more likely to work on IPO or bond issuance than M&A. (Elite) Boutiques are pulling out of Greater China.
2. I think you can try to target those groups who work on SEA deals where Mandarin is not as important. It is a relatively small portion of HK banking, but it is there. Overall, anything cross-border (not the China Mainland border).
3. As another, very popular thread about HK IB says, it is hard to break in now without Mandarin skills. I knew a couple of groups who were recruiting Japanese/Korean speaking people because they wanted to pitch institutional investors/ HNWI over there.
How's the pay dawg?
It depends on your perspective. Overall, halfway between mediocre and okay. I do have call options/RSUs, but it's very little.
If you come from a BB/EB's HK office (not every single BB pays the same across China Mainland and HK offices AFAIK, could be outdated info), then it's not great. A >50% pay cut.
My ex-employer did not pay as much as BB, so the pay cut wasn't as huge, but it wasn't pleasant either. My goal is to transition into frontline tech and get actual coding experience so that I can later look for jobs as a technical product manager or something like that.
Hours-wise, you certainly do not grind your teeth here every single day until midnight, but I generally leave around 9pm every single day. Still, not exactly cozy.
My group also covers corporate strategy since there are only 4 people in this department. It's Strategy (a lot of ad-hoc research on industry verticals, products, competitive landscape, technicals/APIs, etc. ) + Operations (other departments are short on hand) + Business Development (cuz nobody is negotiating with vendors).
Curious how's the current startup/VC market in HK? Currently NYC -> UK but might consider opportunities in HK.
It is not great. HK is not known for innovation. Relatively speaking, very little space for VCs and/or startups, even in 2024.
Most VCs in Greater China are in mainland because most deals happen in the mainland.
Thanks for doing this. I grew up in the US but have lots of family in HK.
How's the recruiting scene from US to HK for finance roles? Do you think it's career suicide if I pursued opportunities in HK but eventually wanted to move back to NYC?
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