Private Equity & Venture Capital Practice
Strategic lateral moves for PE/VC partners
Market-Leading Platforms • Portfolio Company Access • Carried Interest Structures
Navigate the unique complexities of private equity and venture capital practice transitions with precision. We understand that PE/VC partners require more than traditional lateral support—from carried interest negotiations to portfolio company conflicts, from fund formation to exits. Our specialized approach ensures alignment between your investment philosophy, sector expertise, and the platform's strategic vision for alternative investments.
What PE/VC partners receive
- Fund Economics Analysis: Carried interest structures, co-investment rights, management fee participation, and waterfall mechanics across platforms.
- Portfolio Conflict Assessment: Comprehensive mapping of fund portfolios, competitive investments, and waiver strategies.
- Platform Investment Review: GP commitment requirements, fundraising support, institutional LP relationships, and sector focus alignment.
The PE/VC lateral landscape—distinct challenges
Private equity and venture capital practices operate differently from traditional corporate work. Success depends on deep sector relationships, proven track records, and sophisticated understanding of fund dynamics. Moving platforms requires careful orchestration.
Why PE/VC transitions demand specialized expertise
- • Complex Economics Beyond Compensation: Carried interest allocation, vesting schedules, and clawback provisions vary dramatically between platforms. We model complete economic packages including fund participation rights.
- • Portfolio Company Considerations: Your existing board positions, advisor roles, and investment committee seats require careful transition planning and conflict analysis.
- • LP Relationship Continuity: Institutional investor relationships—pension funds, sovereign wealth, endowments—require thoughtful messaging during transitions.
- • Deal Attribution Complexity: Establishing credit for successful exits, portfolio performance, and fundraising requires nuanced negotiation.
Current PE/VC market dynamics
Growth Equity & Late-Stage Venture
Convergence of venture and buyout strategies driving demand for partners who understand both growth investing and operational value creation. Platforms seeking expertise in sectors like enterprise software, healthcare IT, and fintech scale-ups.
Energy Transition & Infrastructure
Massive capital deployment into renewable energy, battery storage, and sustainable infrastructure. Partners with project finance expertise and government relations particularly valued.
Secondaries & Continuation Funds
GP-led secondaries market explosion creates demand for partners understanding both primary fundraising and complex secondary structures. NAV financing and continuation vehicle expertise commands premium positioning.
Emerging Markets & Cross-Border
Southeast Asia, Africa, and Latin America focus intensifying. Partners with regional networks and sovereign wealth relationships seeing unprecedented opportunities.
Compensation evolution in PE/VC
Traditional Components
- Guaranteed Packages: $2M–$5M+ for established fund partners with proven fundraising
- Carried Interest: 10–30% of GP carry depending on seniority and contribution
- Co-Investment Rights: Personal investment opportunities increasingly standard
- Management Company Equity: Senior partners receiving stakes in management company
- Fund Commitment Support: Firms providing loans or guarantees for GP commitments
Platform Differentiation Factors
- Tier 1 Global Platforms: Elite firms with $10B+ funds requiring mega-fund experience
- Mid-Market Specialists: Platforms focused on $500M–$2B enterprise values
- Sector-Focused Funds: Technology, healthcare, energy specialists valuing deep domain expertise
- Emerging Managers & Spin-Outs: New platforms offering founding partner economics
Global Platform Excellence
Access tier-1 institutions with established fund infrastructure
Critical success factors for PE/VC lateral moves
Deal Track Record Documentation
- Portfolio company performance metrics and attribution
- Exit multiples and IRR by investment
- Board positions and value creation initiatives
- Fundraising contributions and LP relationships
Team Portability Assessment
- Principal and associate loyalty analysis
- Operating partner network continuity
- Sector advisor relationships
- Deal sourcing ecosystem mapping
Integration Planning Specifics
- Investment committee integration timeline
- Portfolio company board transition strategy
- LP communication and relationship transfer
- New fund launch or existing fund participation
Strategic Deal Attribution
Document your track record with precision and clarity
Our PE/VC process enhancements
Beyond our standard six-phase methodology, PE/VC transitions include:
Fund Conflict Deep Dive
Comprehensive analysis of portfolio overlaps, competitive investments, and information barriers. We map every potential conflict before approach, developing waiver strategies and alternative structures.
LP Reference Strategy
Orchestrated approach to institutional investor communications, ensuring consistent messaging and maintaining confidence during transition. Includes scripted talking points and timing coordination.
Carry Negotiation Framework
Detailed modeling of carried interest economics across multiple fund vintages, including vesting schedules, clawback provisions, and tax optimization strategies. Comparative analysis against peer moves.
Portfolio Transition Planning
Board seat continuity, observer rights transfer, and advisory role structuring. We coordinate with portfolio companies to ensure smooth leadership transitions.
Geographic considerations
New York
Mega-fund headquarters demanding global platform capabilities. Focus on large-cap buyouts, credit strategies, and real estate. Highest compensation but most intensive lifestyle.
San Francisco/Silicon Valley
Venture capital epicenter with growth equity convergence. Early-stage through growth requiring technical fluency and founder networks. Emphasis on carried interest over cash compensation.
London
European headquarters for global funds plus emerging manager ecosystem. Cross-border complexity and regulatory sophistication required. Strong secondaries and credit markets.
Miami/Austin
Emerging hubs attracting relocated partners. Tax advantages and lifestyle focus. Growing LP presence and sector specialization opportunities.
Global Leadership Excellence
Strategic governance across international markets and regulatory frameworks
Specialized PE/VC scenarios we navigate
The Spin-Out Scenario
Supporting partners launching independent platforms—from anchor LP introductions to back-office provider selection. Includes regulatory setup, fund documentation, and talent acquisition.
The Succession Transition
Senior partners seeking next-generation platforms for final career chapter. Focus on legacy preservation, knowledge transfer, and emeritus arrangements.
The Sector Pivot
Corporate partners transitioning to principal investing. Requires reframing transaction experience for investment committee consumption and developing LP-ready track records.
The Geographic Expansion
Partners establishing new office presence or relocating for personal reasons. Includes market mapping, local LP cultivation, and regional deal flow development.
Questions PE/VC partners ask
How do carried interest negotiations work across platforms?
Carry allocations vary dramatically based on platform size, fund vintage, and individual contribution. We provide detailed benchmarking showing typical ranges by firm type and seniority, plus creative structures like catch-up provisions and preferential allocations. Negotiations often include vesting acceleration and good leaver provisions.
Can I maintain my existing board positions?
Usually yes, with careful coordination. We help structure transition agreements allowing continued service on non-competitive boards. This includes addressing information barriers, liability insurance continuity, and compensation arrangements.
What about my team and operating partners?
Team portability requires orchestrated approach. We assess individual loyalty, compensation requirements, and non-compete restrictions. Operating partner networks often transfer through advisor agreements rather than employment.
How are fundraising contributions valued?
Increasingly quantitatively. Firms analyze LP relationship depth, commitment sizing influence, and track record of first meetings to close. We help document and articulate your fundraising impact beyond simple attribution.
For PE/VC funds seeking partners
We understand what distinguishes exceptional PE/VC talent—beyond IRR and multiple metrics.
Strategic PE/VC Partner Acquisition
Pre-Qualified for Your Investment Thesis: Every introduction aligned with your sector focus, check size, and value creation model.
- Verified Track Records: Documented deal attribution, LP references, and portfolio company testimonials
- Cultural Calibration: Understanding of your investment committee dynamics, partnership philosophy, and decision-making style
- Integration Roadmap: Detailed plan for fund participation, LP introductions, and deal pipeline contribution
Market Intelligence & Sector Insights
Our continuous market mapping provides real-time intelligence on:
- Funds entering new sectors or geographies
- Upcoming fund raises and talent requirements
- Succession planning timelines at established firms
- Emerging manager launches and anchor LP commitments
- Compensation benchmarks by fund size and strategy
Strategic Engagement Process
Share your PE/VC strategic mandate—investment thesis, seniority requirements, sector focus, and partnership dynamics. We deliver a prioritized pipeline with clear recommendations.
Next steps for PE/VC partners
Begin with a confidential strategic assessment exploring your investment track record, LP relationships, team dynamics, and economic priorities. Within 48 hours, receive your Platform Assessment analyzing cultural fit and strategic alignment with relevant funds.
The private equity and venture capital landscape demands specialized navigation. Whether you're seeking expanded platform resources, exploring spin-out opportunities, or planning succession, we provide the strategic intelligence and discrete execution that protects your options while maximizing outcomes.