Need help choosing between Corp Dev or Equity Research

Hi all,

Currently I have 2 opportunities I can pursue and I'd like to gather some outside thoughts and feedback, as I am not sure myself. Any feedback, or any thoughts of what I should be considering would be very much appreciated.

My background
- Non-target undergrad
- Couple years of operating experience in 'sector'
- Couple years of regional boutique IB experience in 'sector'
- CFA 1 check

Summary of options
1 - Corp Dev @ a ~100 employee company operating in a tangent space to my 'sector'. They are looking to acquire a couple small tuck-ins and have a clean exit in the near future. There is currently no corp dev team, I would be responsible for these efforts in conjunction with the executive team.

2 - Mix of Equity Research & VC @ a HF or ER get capped.
- To what extent will doing CD for such a small company mean that future opportunities in larger CD/PE/FP&A/... get capped.
- I know its more of what you were able to accomplish vs the brand name of the firm, so realistically how applicable do you think the things I touch in each option be towards larger companies?

I did 'break-in' to finance so I am very thankful to even have any one of these opportunities in front of me despite the tone of my concerns. It may sound sad to some people, but to me both options are like a dream come true, so I am now trying to figure out the limit to each dream or if there even is any?

Any thoughts, recommendations, points I should consider, past experiences, etc would be so helpful and much appreciated. Thanks so much.