VCs are still hiring MBAs, but firms are starting to need other experience more

The MBA-to-VC pipeline remains a precise existent thing. But that way is simply a small shakier than it erstwhile was, according to PitchBook reporting and caller world research.

Harvard placed 50 of its 1,004 MBA graduates into VC roles successful 2024, with a median starting wage of $177,500. Stanford placed astir 30 from its smaller class. More than 10,000 Harvard, Stanford, and Wharton MBA alumni presently clasp elder positions astatine U.S. VC firms, PitchBook information shows.

The MBA’s grip connected task superior is loosening, however, according to Stanford prof Ilya Strebulaev, who recovered that 44% of mid-career task professionals held MBAs successful the aboriginal 2000s, compared to 32% today.

What’s driving the change? VC has evolved beyond accepted sectors into AI and hardware, wherever method acquisition beats concern schoolhouse credentials, truthful firms are progressively scanning endowment from companies similar OpenAI and SpaceX alternatively than elite MBA programs. “There is little appetite for MBAs currently,” enforcement recruiter Will Champagne tells PitchBook.

Students haven’t gotten the memo yet; Stanford’s VC nine inactive boasts 600 members retired of the astir 850 MBA students connected campus. They’re paying a steep price, too. Nabbing an MBA astatine a apical programme tin outgo much than $200,000.