MF Recruiting From Non-BB / EB

Just starting as an AN1 at a non-BB / EB shop that has strong MM PE / GE exits, but less luck with MF PE (partially due to self selection). Industry-focused boutique with strong dealflow along the lines of Leerink or Union Square Advisors. 

How feasible is it to break into MF PE from a firm like that? What process should I follow? I'm assuming the MF HHs won't reach out to me directly, so I'll need to make that initial contact. 

 

I think this is going to be very difficult unless you go to an UMM PE and then lateral. Even then, a lot of the UMM PE funds only take BB / EB analysts.

If you look at most MF associates, they almost always come from BB / EB backgrounds. It’s an uphill battle for sure, but I guess anything is possible. 

 

Anything is possible. I just think that it’s much different than IB. There are plenty of non-traditional candidates that break into IB, but if you look across all MF associates on LinkedIn or firm directories, the backgrounds are pretty uniform (typical BB / EB or lateral hires from MM PE). That’s not to say you can’t make it happen, but it is far from the norm.

 

When you say strong MM PE exits, are these +$1bn shops in Tier 1 cities?  Should be getting inbounds from HHs that cover MFs in the case.

If not, lateralling to a BB/EB is the path of least resistance.  Make sure you really want and understand the MF PE route however.  I'd be weary of leaving a good seat in search of brand-name/prestige.  

 

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