MBB consulting --> pre-mba VC position

Hey all,

I'm currently a consultant at MBB, and I'm looking to go through the interview process with top VC firms that play in the Clean Energy, tech-based consumer, and healthcare verticals.

Do headhunters actively recruit on behalf of the DFJs, Silver Lake Kraftwerks of the world? Or are the pre-MBA associate positions at these firms typically filled through knowing someone that gets your resume reviewed?

I'd appreciate any pointers. Thanks and happy holidays.

17 Comments
 
Best Response
  1. Run a search. I'm basically going to give a shoddy, watered down version of what I've read + friends I know who work at VC firms.

  2. VC is uniquely difficult to break into, since it's so small in size. It's very top heavy, and they only have a few (if even more than 1) monkey going around crunching numbers. And those number crunchers don't carry much weight in making investment decisions. As the saying goes, "VC should be your last job" as in, when you have boatloads of money and you can start a VC. That's when it's fun.

  3. To break into it, there's no standard. The best thing you can do is start a company in a certain industry and go gang-busters and sell it for a killing (or even a good enough margin to make you legit, like juicycampus.com or something popularity). And trying to aim for that type of success is like trying to hit jackpot, so good luck with that.

If you're a science background (undergrad or PHD) that helps in focused areas.

Occasionally a finance guy gets in, but that's very rare (I know 1 Harvard top-of-class contact of mine who got into a VC firm of 3 people).

Good luck, I wish the best for ya, but understand WHY you want to get into the industry and then appropriately align that with what LEVEL you want to enter at :)

 

not easy. but you certainly dont need an mba. it does help if you have a tech type of degree (engineering) though.

"...the art of good business, is being a good middle man, putting people togeather. It's all about honor and respect."
 

Roofstreet is right. It's not easy, but doable (like consulting -> PE). Helps to have a relevant degree and working in relevant verticals (=tech sector) and horizontals (=strategy, due diligence, M&A).

 

Depends/Either I would say. I've sifted through quite a few job postings in VC to get an idea of what they are looking for, they tend to list something along the lines of "prefer previous experience in management consulting, investment banking, corporate development or related field"

I feel like it would just be up to you to sell yourself. Having some tech/startup experience is huge also.

"You are neither right nor wrong because the crowd disagrees with you. You are right because your data and reasoning are right." -Warren Buffett
 

I would think if you are on the level of MBB, then it really does not make that much of a difference

its not like you can state: McKinsey is better than BCG for VC/startup experience

it will definitely vary on a case by case basis, it might just happen that your engagement at McKinsey was operational improvement while at BCG you were able to get on management growth strategy

However I have to say a lot of McK alum do go start up their own firms, or become CEOs to grow mid size firms, etc

 

Sint autem qui reprehenderit aut itaque. Soluta dolor dolorum id incidunt neque id. Nisi labore commodi nesciunt nihil quod. Alias porro hic et eaque. Et et qui veniam nihil consectetur et. Eum iusto doloribus aliquid vel quam vel aut ratione.

Tenetur natus harum quae in ut. Autem earum veritatis qui rerum. Itaque doloribus nulla vel laboriosam sunt.

Veniam est consequatur odio sit ipsa quam iusto quam. Qui consequatur et ut.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.2%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.7%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.3%
  • JPMorgan No 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (44) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (78) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (72) $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
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
6
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
10
Mimbs's picture
Mimbs
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...”