Yes, those are both issues as well. VC is hyper-localized, and at the mid-levels, you’re not quite as “plug and play” as Analyst/Associate candidates, so it’s a tougher sell. You probably still do have a higher chance if you aim for European VCs, but it would still be a challenge to move directly.

Thanks Brian. And if visa was not an issue and I was targeting the European market, would it be correct to assume that Europeans VCs would be less interested in a mid level hire from a different geography, since I would cost more than analysts / associates, and not immediately have a local network? Thank you very much for your help.

I think it would be quite difficult to do this due to work visa issues. VC firms are small and really do not like to sponsor people, especially in places like the U.S. where the process is notoriously random and time-consuming. You would have a better chance of doing this if you could find a job at a large/global tech company and then push for a transfer via that company.

Thanks. Good luck!

Great advice Brian. Wrestled with the exit options bit, but decided to skip the nonsense and go with Corp Dev, thanks!

#1 gives you more options overall, but #2 might be better if your specific goal is venture capital. But I don’t think #2 provides a huge benefit for VC roles over a tech IB role, as many tech bankers go into VC anyway. I don’t really think they would bring you in at a senior level in VC unless you are a C-level executive at this company, and it performs very well. So… it depends on whether you’re most interested in VC or could see yourself in other roles, and also the level you’ll be entering IB at. If they’re going to make you a Year 1 Analyst, you might just want to skip all the nonsense and go to Corp Dev for more interesting work and a better lifestyle.

Not really, the usual networking strategies and tactics apply. Reach out via LinkedIn/email, say you found the position, explain your family entrepreneurship background + sales experience and how that makes you a good candidate, and ask if they can tell you anything more about the role. Direct VC work experience doesn’t necessarily matter that much.

I currently work in equity sales, first at a big IB for many years and now at a smaller broker. I found a role at a multi-stage VC firm that I am incredibly interested in (impact investing). I have experience with the relationship aspects of the role they are hiring for, but less so the startup experience and investment process knowledge.

Do you have any advice on how I might ‘break in’ to this role or write a cover letter that could position me well enough to get a first interview? I am passionate about impact investing and come from a family of entrepreneurs (having initiated investor conversations for my own company in the past), but have no direct work experience in VC.