Author: Florian Smeritschnig

Cover image for Consulting to Hedge Funds: The Variance Exit, showing a consultant moving into hedge funds with trading screens, volatility charts, and portfolio performance data.

Consulting to Hedge Funds: The Variance Exit (2026)

Hedge funds attract roughly 3-5% of MBB consultants between years 3 and 7, the same volume as venture capital but with dramatically different economics. The two main paths are multi-manager pod shops (Citadel, Point72, Millennium, Balyasny) and single-manager funds (Tiger Global, Coatue, Lone Pine, Viking). Junior analyst compensation runs $200-350K base plus performance bonuses that…
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Cover image for Consulting to Startups: Stage, Role, and Equity, showing a consultant advising a startup team on product roadmap, ownership, and equity strategy.

Consulting to Startups: Stage, Role, and Equity (2026)

Consulting to startups is the third-largest exit path from MBB, attracting roughly 10-15% of consultants between years 2 and 6. The most common roles are BizOps, Chief of Staff, Strategy, and VP-level Operations, typically at Series B through late-stage companies. Cash compensation runs $180-350K with equity that ranges from 0.05% to 2% depending on stage.…
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Cover image for a consulting to Big Tech article, showing a consultant moving from strategy documents and analysis charts toward a modern tech office with KPI dashboards, product roadmaps, and PM, BizOps, and strategy role cues.

Consulting to Big Tech: PM, BizOps, and Strategy Roles (2026)

Big tech hires roughly 8-12% of MBB consultants between years 2 and 6, making it one of the highest-compensation exit destinations outside private equity. The four main roles ex-consultants take are BizOps (Business Operations and Strategy), Product Management, Strategy / Strategic Initiatives, and Corporate Development. Total comp at the typical entry level (L6 at Google…
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Cover image for a consulting to corporate strategy article, showing a consultant moving from market analysis, financial models, and client work toward an executive boardroom with a strategy roadmap, growth plan, and corporate leadership visuals.

Consulting to Corporate Strategy: The #2 MBB Exit (2026)

Corporate strategy is the second-most-common exit destination from MBB consulting, attracting roughly 15-20% of consultants between years 3 and 8. The typical entry point is Director or Senior Manager of Strategy at a Fortune 500 company, with compensation of $200-450K depending on industry and a clear path to VP within 3-5 years. The role varies…
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Cover image for a consulting to private equity article, showing strategy reports, financial charts, an upward growth path, and a business professional overlooking a city skyline.

Consulting to Private Equity: The Top Exit Path (2026)

The most common premium exit from MBB consulting is private equity. Roughly one in five post-MBA McKinsey, BCG, and Bain Associates leaves for PE within three years, making it the single largest exit destination for top-tier consultants. The transition typically happens at the Associate or Senior Associate level, runs through five specialized headhunters, and ends…
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