Hi Primates,
I'm currently working at a tier 1 crypto VC but would really love to be covering traditional tech at a traditional HF or PE fund. I have a decent educational background (engineering at an Ivy) and worked in public markets ( buy-side ) for a year before transferring to my current role.
What do you think my exit ops look like after a year in crypto VC? Would I have to go to B-school to get back on the tradFi track?
WSO Virtual Bootcamps See all
Popular Content See all
Career Advancement Opportunities
March 2023 Investment Banking
Overall Employee Satisfaction
March 2023 Investment Banking
Professional Growth Opportunities
March 2023 Investment Banking
Total Avg Compensation
March 2023 Investment Banking
Career Resources
Leaderboard See all
| 1 |
|
99.2 |
| 2 |
|
99.0 |
| 3 |
|
99.0 |
| 4 |
|
99.0 |
| 5 |
|
99.0 |
| 6 |
|
98.9 |
| 7 |
|
98.9 |
| 8 |
|
98.9 |
| 9 |
|
98.9 |
| 10 |
|
98.9 |
Get instant access to lessons taught by experienced private equity pros and bulge bracket investment bankers including financial statement modeling, DCF, M&A, LBO, Comps and Excel Modeling.
Comments ( 13 )
I am on the oppostie end of the table, looking to transition into a crypto native fund during the bear market . Curious to understand why you are looking to make the move.
Why did you decide to go into crypto VC? It's a speculative asset class, limited transferable skillset, and it will take a long time to monetize on crypto VC investments.
But to answer your question, yes, you probably need to go to a top b-school to gain access to the network and recruiting opportunities.
Is there really such a thing as a Tier 1 Crypto VC anymore?
Snark aside, b-school never hurts. You might be able to find your way into a tech-oriented HF given your background. PE feels like it might be pretty hard given the fact that you don't have a traditional banking background.
Tier 1 crypto is an oxymoron
This is a little out of my wheelhouse, but I do have some anecdata that may be helpful.
I have seen online and met live numerous people who have moved between TradFi and DeFi. Most were people in S&T or public markets roles who moved to something in crypto, moved to a multi manager, and then did the back and forth one/two/three more times.
What I haven't seen is someone who started in crypto (their first job out of undergrad) move to a legitimate (strong capital base, well-regarded, known logo) markets role and stay there. That's not to say it can't or won't happen, but this is my anecdata.
I think you fit the former bucket well enough to be able to get back through the normal channels. Headhunters, coffee chats, go in the usual way. Business school has never seemed like a high-likelihood path for hedge fund recruiting for people who didn't do the banking to private equity 'track' beforehand.
Lean on your engineering background and demonstrated interest in emerging technology to craft a narrative for a TMT seat . Business development at every multi manager will talk to you as analyst talent. Why aren't you trying that?
I am permanently behind on PMs, it's not personal.
What qualifies as a "tier 1" crypto VC just wondering? The industry isn't even old enough to have gone through multiple funds yet so it can't be performance. Maybe crypto Twitter clout? Or are you the crypto fund within a larger VC platform (vis-a-vis a16z) or a corporate VC (binance labs, Coinbase ventures etc). If you are at a16z which is a tier 1 VC I think you could lateral with that brand recognition. If you are at a fund only known in web3 world gonna be more tough. Generally speaking from my experience in AM , a lot of the boomers and older people just don't like crypto especially now that it is down which makes them feel even more vindicated in their beliefs.
Obviously OP is at a16z. They will be fine. Replies above don't seem to get it.
Suppose could also be binance labs or coinbase ventures. or dapper labs... (not DCG) but a16z most likely to say "tier1".
Paradigm maybe? A16z? No offense but a16z is looking like the biggest fools in all this. No idea how LPs will trust them again
Matt Huang is looking like a fool also
There's no such thing as a Tier 1 Crypto VC . I work in VC / Growth and have come across others in your position. Here are your options realistically:
1) Find another VC fund that's more payments/ fintech focused that had some crypto exposure ( like a Ribbit , Oak HC / FT , etc.)
2) Go into a corporate job at a start-up and then pivot back to VC after getting some hands-on experience.
3) Try to go back to the firm you were at previously or find a similar role in a Tier 2 market that would respect your pedigree / prior experience and you can expunge your crypto experience from your resume more or less.
4) Go get an MBA but know that the issues that make it hard for you to get a normal job now will still exist out of MBA recruiting at a top fund in PE / Growth / HFs . You'll be competing with people who don't have the 1yr of experience that's unfortunately not worth very much in the rest of the world.
Reiciendis cupiditate voluptas est eum libero quia. Deleniti ab soluta eos ipsum atque quas. Et fugit enim velit dolorum quas possimus.
Voluptatum et alias minima asperiores ipsa voluptatem modi molestias. Itaque aut nihil enim ad necessitatibus. Sunt harum animi numquam aliquid impedit. Voluptatem dolores sit autem praesentium tempora sit tenetur. Omnis porro accusantium a qui voluptas.
Sapiente illum ea qui. Ad voluptates atque enim et impedit id placeat. Necessitatibus odio labore qui eum. Dolore quaerat est porro non aut. Nesciunt voluptatum sed aliquid molestiae.
Alias exercitationem non eveniet nemo reprehenderit quos. Qui et quod eius voluptas nesciunt. Velit amet reiciendis fugiat ut tempore.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...