MBB vs Corporate Venture Capital

Hi, I know someone who deciding between 2 internship offers. 
MBB vs a corporate venture firm internship. To preface this, this person is very interested in VC and received the VC offer through connections. However, the VC offer was not on any deadline and seemed very flexible. Additionally, they where told that it is highly unlikely the VC offer would result in a full time offer given the positions for full time are typically hired from MBA. The VC firm is a corporate VC firm apart of a large Bank. 
 

What should this person do in this situation considering the safety net of MBB already extending a full time offer opposed to VC being a great learning experience but likely meaning recruiting?

Thanks

8 Comments
 

IMO while Corp. VC definitely sounds like a valuable learning experience, it doesn’t compare to MBB from a risk/reward perspective. Lots of folks end up in those roles coming from MBB-caliber backgrounds, and you may realize you want to do something else entirely anyway. Nice to know you can return if you crush it during the summer

 
Most Helpful

MBB is the clear choice and answer, no question at all. The real money/value/learning comes at the next level up in VC/GE/PE (e.g., Associate role instead of Analyst role) while the growth in MBB is much more focused at the Analyst role. Plus, name brand on MBB is very probably much better than the corporate VC. Even if the Corp VC is, like, google ventures or something, I'd still take MBB.

Remember, always be kind-hearted.
 

Would humbly disagree - passing up a16z / GA / Insight / Bessemer / etc. top tier analyst programs for MBB is objectively a bad decision, especially if you’re interested in that space (and if the MBB offer is not in a tier 1 city).

Not that OP is facing this decision, but just wanna say for posterity, these positions are harder to get, pay more, and ultimately set you up amazingly for a career in VC/PE or startups. An MBB employee would be lucky to land these or any other top VC/GE seat.

 

I'll humbly disagree--what you have said in the first paragraph is "objectively" true. Half of my class that left MBB went to top PE/GE shops, and the other half went to startups, all from a tier 2 city.

And the positions may be harder to get, but frankly I'm not sure (I know that les than 1% of undergrads that apply to MBB get in), but MBB ALSO sets you up for a career in VC/PE or startups, but also anything else that you would want to do. It's not going to be as black and white as you make it out to be be above. MBB is definitely above corporate VC in starting, but I'd still give MBB equal footing/slightly ahead of other top tier analyst programs.

Remember, always be kind-hearted.
 

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