Pursue a Start-up Idea or Move to Quant Fund?

Title says it all. I need some advice folks.

I'm currently a sell-side quant doing AI research. Couple of seniors left for Quant Research roles at HFs and prop shops. And I've been preparing for interviews as well so I can jump to the buyside in a year or 2 (I want to see how much I can learn in my current job first).

Thing is, I got this start-up idea that I want to pursue and I just don't have the time to work on this idea while interview prepping for buy side quant research positions. The idea is fairly simple but could potentially be worth a lot of money (not billions but certainly many millions). There is 1 company doing it now but they aren't very aggressive and seems happy where they are. So I want to offer a slightly differentiated alternative with a more aggressive strategy.

What are my options here? I work 40~50 hrs a week so I have plenty of time now. Even if I made the jump to the buyside now, idk if I would have the time since the work hours will likely be 50~70 hrs/wk.

 

Let's build this start-up together! 

Haha, I've had the same thing. I have a start-up I want to pursue but difficult to do with consulting hours. Also, want to recruit for buyside PE, but then definitely won't be possible. 

I've debated jumping to industry for a ~40 hr/wk job and then working on the start-up on the side and then depending on viability / traction, then quitting industry job, 

 

Let's build this start-up together! 

Haha, I've had the same thing. I have a start-up I want to pursue but difficult to do with consulting hours. Also, want to recruit for buyside PE, but then definitely won't be possible. 

I've debated jumping to industry for a ~40 hr/wk job and then working on the start-up on the side and then depending on viability / traction, then quitting industry job, 

Interesting. Tbh, I'm just too ambitious and I want to do it all. But realistically I know I can't.

I thought maybe I should move to the buyside, work for couple more years, build some wealth and then work on my start-up. But the window of opportunity might remain for only a year or two in my case. 

 

Let's build this start-up together!  

Also how serious are you about this?

I need a technical co-founder (Software engineering type) as well another co-founder who understands this field (I already have someone in mind but idk if he'll be up for it).

I know you've got your own ideas, so maybe we can just share them and critique each other?

 

Dignissimos voluptas aliquam fuga et fugiat nihil. Sint sit quis dolor omnis quasi molestiae sunt.

Et blanditiis et sapiente quasi incidunt. Distinctio consequatur fugit ex ipsa. Minus eligendi consequatur accusamus dolore iusto. Quaerat modi qui veritatis dolore.

Ab enim modi minus. Mollitia omnis quia odit delectus omnis et atque.

Career Advancement Opportunities

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 19 98.8%
  • Harris Williams & Co. New 98.3%
  • Lazard Freres 02 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 03 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Harris Williams & Co. 18 99.4%
  • JPMorgan Chase 10 98.8%
  • Lazard Freres 05 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.7%
  • William Blair 03 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Lazard Freres 01 99.4%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 17 98.3%
  • Moelis & Company 07 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 05 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (19) $385
  • Associates (87) $260
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (14) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (66) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (205) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (146) $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
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
5
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
6
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.8
10
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
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...”