School Prestige and Relation to VC Funding?
Hey everyone - high schooler here interested in finance as a prospective career path, but also interested in entrepreneurship. I plan to do IB after graduation but am interested in potentially pursuing VC (either as part of a firm or receiving VC funding as an entrepreneur).
Currently sitting on two university offers - one from a Canadian semi-target for IB recruiting (Ivey) and an engineering degree from Waterloo (which seems to be rather well-known in the tech/VC/YC space). I am interested to hear your thoughts on how relevant school prestige is for obtaining VC funding (I am aware that Ivey gives me the best opportunity to land a banking role, but I'd also like to increase my likelihood of obtaining VC funding in the future - I believe the Waterloo brand name is more conducive to this process).
Any advice is appreciated a ton!
Ahoy there, future finance maven and entrepreneurial spirit! You're juggling quite the conundrum with those university offers, aren't you? Let's dive into the treasure trove of wisdom from the Wall Street Oasis to shed some light on your query regarding school prestige and its impact on venturing into the VC world, either as a swashbuckling entrepreneur seeking funding or as a keen-eyed investor.
Based on the most helpful WSO content, it's clear that school prestige does indeed play a significant role in the realm of finance, including the venture capital and private equity sectors. Here's how it breaks down:
Networking Opportunities: Prestigious schools often have stronger alumni networks, which can be invaluable when you're looking to break into competitive fields like investment banking (IB) and venture capital (VC). These networks can provide mentorship, introductions, and even direct opportunities that might not be as accessible from less recognized institutions.
Brand Recognition: In the context of obtaining VC funding, the brand recognition of your alma mater can serve as a signal to potential investors. Schools known for producing top talent in tech and entrepreneurship, such as Waterloo for its engineering prowess, can indeed make your venture more attractive to VCs, especially those with a focus on tech startups. This is because the school's reputation can be seen as a proxy for the quality and potential of its graduates.
Access to Resources: Prestigious institutions often have more resources for budding entrepreneurs, including incubators, pitch competitions, and connections to the VC ecosystem. These resources can be crucial in the early stages of getting your venture off the ground and attracting initial funding.
Given your interest in both investment banking and potentially receiving VC funding as an entrepreneur, you're facing a unique decision. Ivey's strong reputation in IB recruitment could set you on a solid path in finance, providing you with the skills and network to later transition into venture capital. On the flip side, Waterloo's renown in the tech and VC space could offer you direct inroads into the entrepreneurial ecosystem, potentially making it easier to attract VC funding for your own ventures.
In essence, both paths have their merits. If your heart leans towards entrepreneurship and the tech world, the Waterloo brand might indeed be more conducive to your long-term goals, especially in attracting VC attention. However, if you're keen on securing a solid foundation in finance first, with a view to leveraging that experience in the VC world later, Ivey could be the way to go.
Remember, matey, the path to treasure is never a straight line. It's the skills you acquire, the networks you build, and the passion you bring to your endeavors that will ultimately chart your course to success. Best of luck on your adventurous journey ahead!
Sources: Re: Does School Prestige Matter?, Why School Prestige Is Important, Re: Does School Prestige Matter?
Will hop in. From what I have personally seen, waterloo has a lot more visibility in the venture world. But from my eyes, that visibility tends to express itself on the build-route, not venture. When I think waterloo, I think a UIUC, berkeley, CMU type. Optimizing for eng talent more than VC.
Thank you! Yes, I would assume that the venture side probably favours Ivey a bit more because of the IB gateway. That said, if I want to pursue IB but transition to entrepreneurship later on, do you think that the Waterloo name brand is that beneficial to obtaining VC funding? I say this because I don't want to hinder my chances of getting into IB in the first place by taking Waterloo engineering over Ivey.
Should also add that I have three dual degree options with Ivey - engineering, CS, or medical sciences.
I don't think you are approaching this the right way. You really need to have more agency in your life to succeed at VC / founding than worrying about going to Ivey or Waterloo. You aren't a passenger of your life.
If you have something worth building, going to Ivey won't prevent you from getting funding. If you have good insights / personal branding / ability to network, Waterloo won't stop you from breaking into VC.
If you lack these traits, your school won't save you. No matter which you go to.
It depends what you do as a career. Waterloo engineers are particularly sought after - you should only attend if you want to do an engineering degree. Likewise with Ivey for banking.
YC invests in people - going to a target school helps, but proven resilience, a cofounder and some traction is better.
If you want to build the product - go to Waterloo. If you want to sell the product, go to Ivey.
Thank you for the insight. I probably plan on pursuing the IB/PE/MBA 2+2+2 path and then transitioning to whatever floats my boat - and I can see entrepreneurship as something I'd pursue.
In this regard, do you think it is worth it to hinder my IB chances by attending Waterloo but bolstering my VC funding chances later down the line? Or would the Waterloo boost be so negligible that I'm better off maximizing my IB chances by attending Ivey?
P.S. - should add that I am indeed holding a Waterloo Engineering offer
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