VC -> Tech -> MBA -> HF?
Hi: I’d like any thoughts on how someone with my background can break into the HF industry.
I graduated from HYPSM about six years ago where I studied engineering. I had weak GPA but a lot of really strong work experience at brand name tech firms (Facebook, Apple, etc.) and leadership roles. With that, I ended up at a top west coast PE/VC firm on the VC side and focused on tech investing (everything from sourcing/pitching deals, researching markets, diligence, helping firm’s investments). I have decent but not superstar financial modeling skills. After that, I joined the management teams of one of the VC investments and basically focused on doing a lot of the sorts of diligence that an investor might do (except, in this case, to make sure the company was run well). This fall, I’m going to H/S/W for an MBA.
I know mine isn’t the traditional PE -> HF story, but I’m curious how much HF demand there is for someone with a good pedigree, really strong technology focus, prior buy-side investing experience. Would my best short for these gigs be to go via campus recruiting? Head hunters? Just old fashioned networking?
You may be able to get into a place like Coatue or Tiger, but you will likely be working on the private investing side, probably doing VC/growth investing work. Unless you did heavy financial modeling at the startup, it's hard to see what value you could add to a L/S or buyout strategy over somebody who's done 2 years of banking and 2 years at a place like Silver Lake.
Honestly dude, why on earth would you want to be a model jockey with the skills and experience you have now? I'd focus on relationships and get an MBA. Go back to sourcing deals or something else.
Notwithstanding the fact that you would likely regret your transition into the L/S hege fund world, I would note that you have a very good chance of finding a HF gig as a tech analyst with your background. These opportunities are not rare and the easiest way to access them would be to contact the usual list of headhunters.
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