How do you pick between a top performing org that is owned by PE or a Series B startup? Average seller trying to make a decision and feeling torn
Great perspective from someone currently on the floor at a PE backed org. TY for sharing!
Interesting choice... from what I've seen, orgs that get acquired by PE tend to tighten their belt... they usually do some layoffs, and often also cut out non-core markets or product offerings. So I'd look at how recently the PE firm acquired the business. If it's been 5+ years, there's a good chance that those changes have already taken place - and the question then is whether the PE firm is going to continue operating the business because it kicks off profit, or package it to sell again. For series B, things might be more exciting - and you may find that the firm pays better if they're in aggressive growth mode. But it's also going to be a riskier situation since it's an earlier-stage company. At the end of the day, regardless of owernership structure, I'd go to the place that has a higher PMF score, and higher team quota attainment on RepVue.
Yeah I would look at all the other organizations that the specific PE firm has acquired, the trajectory of those firms, the RepVue data/reviews etc on those other portcos (also the ones that they've gotten rid of). On average your experience as a seller in a PE backed org will be worse than VC or Publics, BUT, every situation is unique. For the series B, when did they raise, how much runway, and then if you pay attention to my LinkedIn posts, you need to dig in hard to product market fit, the addressable market, and how much hiring they've done relative to their addressable market. Do they still have a lot of room to run. Good luck - you're in a unique position right now with several options!
Hey, do you plan to expand to Europe? Few people know RepVue there so most of the time you can't find insights on European companies here
We kind of already have: 1. We have launched a ton of EU and UK based sales org profiles on the site. 2. Ratings data are all submitted in native currencies in EU and UK (and many other countries). 3. We've launched salary pages for most EU and UK countries in native currency. We definitely want to grow more over there, what do you think we should do to make that happen? I am aware that the site hasn't been translated but that's not a short term priority.
Thanks for your answer. Open locations in Europe in "Jobs by location". It may be harder to make yourselves known there as the culture is very different than in America. For example, in France almost few in sales are familiar with Tech Sales.
I am currently a sales manager at a portco owned by a top 10 PE firm. Sales do not stop. Period. Can't deliver, keep selling. Bad product, keep selling. Late delivery or launch? Keep selling. Broken system, can't launch? Keep selling. You will be asked to sell no matter the circumstance. The good thing, most AE's, etc. are overlooked when it comes to layoffs, belt tightening. Managers, Directors, VP's get cut long before the reps. You aren't producing? It's your boss getting axed, not you. Series B startup? Fun, high pressure, GTM may change often if traction isn't happening fast enough. Less stress, more fun, better on your resume than a portco is. If you can sell in the startup environment, you have a better resume than an established business that was bought with the intentions of being grown to flip.