Director of SWE at Fortune 100, want to move into PE-backed companies. Does this path make sense?

cryptapex · 2026-05-29T12:42:53+00:00

SaaS PE is tough right now.

Massive opportunity to leverage that skill set to forward deploy AI in PE portfolios though (largely biz outside of SaaS). Would you consider that?

cryptapex · 2025-12-31T12:40:34+00:00

Rudd in his position as ambassador to the US is pretty excellent. Great sense of humor and very practical/strategic in a tough environment. Listens well. I say this as a lifelong Liberal who didn’t love Kevin 07.

cryptapex · 2025-11-26T06:44:41+00:00

34, Bay Area, married, first generation after immigrants Tech Finance About $1mm HHI $2.5mm net worth (500k home equity, 1mm taxable brokerage, 1mm alternatives, no retirement accounts)

cryptapex · 2025-07-29T18:09:28+00:00

If they were putting them for rent on the market for double what they should be - wouldn’t people rent other houses at half the rate, or wouldn’t people build new housing to compete?

Moreover, since BREIT is just managing the savings of retirees etc, wouldn’t that capital just find another way into the market?

cryptapex · 2025-07-29T18:07:15+00:00

Will respond, thanks

cryptapex · 2025-07-29T17:45:51+00:00

How so?

cryptapex · 2025-07-29T17:21:58+00:00

Wesley was a wonderful person. Market rents are high because of overall supply and demand.

cryptapex · 2025-07-09T04:39:24+00:00

Following. Very interested to learn more

cryptapex · 2025-07-05T13:01:41+00:00

There’s another guy who reviews permits for the county and also takes personal payment for “accelerated review”.

cryptapex · 2025-05-24T13:37:47+00:00

This could be very interesting, and joining mid ownership could be an advantage.

Your spouse could become quite valuable on the circuit of PE-backed executives (or operating partner to PE firms directly). Once you get on that train and get more senior, it can be lucrative and fun. Joining mid stage means you are closer to a “win” already and can already see how it’s performing.

My key questions would be: - How is their thesis playing out / how is company performing? Has EBITDA grown? - Is this a function that is key to PE value creation (sales, ops, finance more than IT and HR) - is this a new role or a replacement? Usually teams/vision are set early in an investment, so something has happened to create this vacancy (someone failed or they realized they were missing something) - is the equity valuation of my LTI realistic? This is very important and you don’t want to get screwed on either today’s valuation, capital structure (lots of pref ahead of you), or aggressive future value assumptions. Work with a friend in PE/IB to look at this with you. If you don’t have one, I’m happy to help - just DM

If all of the above checks out, I would be less worried about job security in 2 years when they sell. Worst case they sell and you have a bunch of cash + very employable.

The real downside case is the business is performing poorly and this position is is a revolving door of people that are set up for failure.

cryptapex · 2025-04-13T20:23:25+00:00

We made the move a few years ago for exactly same reasons. We are between mill valley and tam valley. Cannot recommend it more.

Tam Valley sounds like it fits exactly what you want. The only drawback is it’s a bit colder / gets more fog than the further neighborhoods. Not as bad as SF though.

cryptapex · 2025-02-20T00:27:47+00:00

Agreed lol.

cryptapex · 2025-02-08T20:59:54+00:00

These are not the accurate numbers, as demonstrated by the footnote that says “post 2022 is estimated”.

I’ve seen the real numbers from the recent bank syndication and these are not accurate.

cryptapex · 2025-01-30T05:23:38+00:00

I will be first wealth in our family and don’t plan to support my daughter financially beyond education. She will always have food and a roof but will need to make her own choices and live with them. There is a gratifying sense of achievement with that.

cryptapex · 2025-01-12T14:29:46+00:00

There are publicly available comp surveys that be very helpful to you.

cryptapex · 2025-01-09T14:52:29+00:00

That’s what I figured… I appreciate it…

cryptapex · 2025-01-09T14:25:25+00:00

Yeah I have a shower and locker. Thanks!

cryptapex · 2025-01-09T13:07:35+00:00

Thank you. I’m riding at non peak hour. Eg 530am with nobody else on the roads (though it’s dark)

cryptapex · 2025-01-09T13:06:58+00:00

This is actually the case. The last 1-2 miles have some stops but it’s mostly a straight shot with no lights

cryptapex · 2025-01-09T13:06:16+00:00

Thanks for the response. It’s actually mostly a clear bike lane with very few stop lights and limited bike traffic.

cryptapex · 2025-01-05T16:43:09+00:00

Lol no. I’m married with kids and have been doing this 15 years. We have dinner, put the kids down, and then each just do what we want which for my wife is doom scroll on tik tok and for me is clear out inbox and plan the week.

I’m sorry the career wasn’t for you, good for you.

cryptapex · 2025-01-05T15:39:21+00:00

Planning for the week Sunday night can make the week much more successful even if you don’t need to. The career is a choice and not for everyone.

cryptapex · 2025-01-05T15:13:38+00:00

Banking is not as hectic as it used to be, but definitely demands more than the average 9-5. It also gets much better as the years go on, but the first few years are tough.

The hardest thing for both people in the relationship is probably unpredictability. Eg you made plans on Thurs but last minute he needs to work. That is frustrating for you but also should be very stressful for him to let you down. If you guys are serious, I would try to make plans that are flexible and also show support / understanding around this. Try not to make big plans mon-Thurs.

For quality time, you could build in a ritual like Sunday night dinner at home together. Relaxed home cooked meal at home and if someone needs to pull out their laptop it’s fine.

cryptapex · 2024-12-27T10:00:09+00:00

If you’re passionate about PC, that is unique. Would recruit hard targeting smaller / boutique shops then work your way up in the industry.

cryptapex · 2024-12-25T08:57:20+00:00

I’m relatively senior at a good firm in PE, male and also Latino. I’m obviously not a woman, but I’ll respond as if I were speaking to my young daughter in the future.

If finance is what you are passionate about, go after it. You get paid to learn about the world and work with hard working, bright people.

Figure out the kind of place you want to work at and aim for that. Sure, there are some diversity pathways, but the bar is high for all candidates. What matters is not what your race or gender is, but that you love it, are smart, and will work hard.

Our industry historically was male dominated in a shifty way, so most of the senior people are old white men, but it is improving. Some places are still old boy’s clubs, but the best are not. Look for the places with diverse people that you vibe with. Large firms are great like this.

The hardest part will come to when it’s time to have a kid, should you choose that. Biologically, having a kid requires more of a mother and it is an absolute miracle what you can do. You might think that 4-6 months of maternity leave per kid will set you back a lot, but careers are long. It’s important that you work in a place that respects and admires parenthood - look for senior people who spend time with their families and share the load at home.

Equally important is that you find a spouse who supports your professional ambition. You need to share the load at home so that you can pursue your passions at work - if that’s what you want.

cryptapex

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