Search Funds - is this still a thing?

I remember that I was interviewing for a search fund internship a few years ago while I was in college. Now I’m starting at business school and think it would be a really incredible way to enjoy a lot of responsibility early on in my post mba career.

I haven’t heard much about search funds over the past few years. Is this still an option for MBAs? Does anyone have insights?

3 Comments
 
Most Helpful

Search funds are still a thing. I joined some friends at the HBS ETA conference last winter, and the event was well attended, with a mix of searchers, investors, and, of course, service providers.

There's an ETA event hosted by Chicago Booth in November that you can check out where you can chat with searchers and other students who are considering the path. There isn't a firm rule that says you have to wait until finishing your MBA to start. I've met a few people who started while in school and had business ready to operate by the time they graduated. It requires a meaningful time commitment, but you can also leverage school resources and the fact that you don't yet have student debt bills to get a head start in the process.

2020 Update: recounting my experiences in PE and sharing thoughts on recent deals at https://leverup.substack.com
 

Qui autem est qui et ut repellat iure. Quia voluptatem voluptatem iusto laudantium. Magni eaque sed molestias. Amet ullam velit rerum nobis eveniet. Quo et quasi voluptatum sequi eos modi. Perferendis reprehenderit omnis nesciunt iste earum amet eum.

Voluptatem provident quae ipsam. Quisquam eligendi quas non. Quaerat sit eaque non quia impedit velit ipsam.

Career Advancement Opportunities

September 2026 Private Equity

  • The Riverside Company 99.6%
  • Blackstone Group 99.3%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 98.9%
  • Warburg Pincus 98.5%
  • Vista Equity Partners 98.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

September 2026 Private Equity

  • Blackstone Group 99.6%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 99.3%
  • The Riverside Company 98.9%
  • Ardian 98.5%
  • Warburg Pincus 98.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

September 2026 Private Equity

  • Bain Capital 99.6%
  • The Riverside Company 99.3%
  • Blackstone Group 98.9%
  • Starwood Capital Group 98.5%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 98.1%

Total Avg Compensation

September 2026 Private Equity

  • Principal (9) $653
  • Director/MD (24) $547
  • Vice President (100) $364
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (106) $280
  • 2nd Year Associate (235) $272
  • 1st Year Associate (414) $231
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (33) $157
  • 2nd Year Analyst (97) $134
  • 1st Year Analyst (273) $126
  • Intern/Summer Associate (38) $81
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (356) $61
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

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...”