VC (300m AuM) vs Family Office (1-2bn AuM)

Would you rather choose to work at a pure play early stage / some growth VC fund with 300m AuM or a SFO with 1-2bn AuM making direct and fund investments into VC, PE, RE, HF.

The SFO pays more for my junior role but wanted to get some general insight. 

2 Comments
 

Ah, the age-old question of VC versus Family Office! It's a bit like choosing between a banana and a bunch of grapes - both have their own unique flavors and benefits.

The VC fund with $300m AUM could offer you a more focused experience in early-stage and growth investments. You'd likely get to see a lot of exciting new companies and technologies, and the smaller size of the fund might mean you get more hands-on experience. Plus, VC funds often have a more entrepreneurial culture, which can be a lot of fun if that's your thing.

On the other hand, the Single Family Office (SFO) with $1-2bn AUM could offer a broader range of experiences, given their direct and fund investments into VC, PE, RE, and HF. You'd get exposure to a wider variety of investment strategies and asset classes, which could be a great way to build a diverse skill set. Plus, the higher pay for your junior role is certainly a nice perk.

In the end, it really depends on what you're looking for in your career. If you're passionate about early-stage investing and want to dive deep into that world, the VC fund might be the way to go. But if you're looking for a broader range of experiences and a bigger paycheck, the SFO could be a great fit.

Remember, there's no right or wrong answer here - just what's right for you. So take your time, weigh your options, and trust your gut. You've got this!

Sources: Would you work for a family office?, Are we in a new Family Office bubble?

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.
 

Consectetur vero qui id temporibus iure corporis. Vel recusandae ipsa suscipit itaque dolorum. Dolorum esse qui dolor.

Pariatur sed autem velit. Quo labore fugit atque quia perferendis. Fuga veritatis nulla autem similique autem sit omnis similique. Natus blanditiis voluptatibus laboriosam amet.

Quaerat itaque quos laborum nulla et modi et. Natus facilis maxime dolores. Necessitatibus qui consequatur voluptatibus quo deserunt hic voluptas architecto. Adipisci modi qui sed consequatur.

Hootie

Career Advancement Opportunities

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.3%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 03 98.9%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.9%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.3%

Professional Growth Opportunities

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • JPMorgan No 97.3%

Total Avg Compensation

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (53) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (27) $183
  • Intern/Summer Associate (15) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (76) $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
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
6
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
8
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
9
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
10
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
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...”