Bain & Company Bain vs. LEK on landing a life sciences investment role exit opportunity in the future? I have heard great things about LEK, also seeing many people exit into LS VC after exiting LEK. Unfamiliar with Bain LS practice and incremental benefits for preparing skill sets in my long term plan. I have a PhD in life sciences. Additional comparisons would also be appreciated, eg, pay (Consultant vs LSS), culture, hours, potential travel, etc. Thanks!Bain & Company L.E.K. Consulting
This is a tough one.
Bain: Better brand, better network. Larger PE funds to work with. Better culture.
LEK: Vastly superior in the LS space, solid MM / UMM and occasional MF exposure. Sexiness of brand is like a B+ overall in this situation whereas Bain’s is an A. Good culture but Bain’s is markedly better
Bain. We are weaker in corporate work in LS, but very strong in PE.
You’ll learn the Bain way of doing DDs and have access to what is probably the largest network of ex-consultants in investment roles
Definitely big pro is the LSS program - structured better vs the generalist consultant role at Bain for what you want. LS exits extremely common to PE/VC.
Nope - seen both phds and people from undergrad exit to LS VC and PE
Coach
I was actually thinking of a similar question! Bain is know for being “weak in LS” but they’re strong in DD/PE work so I don’t understand how that applies to all industries except LS.
More relevant skills from LEK, but I think an easier time exiting from Bain
Love the LEK life sciences practice. Great group at LEK and really interesting cases.
I’d say it’s 50/50 strategy vs. DD, even though LEK is heavy on DDs in general.
Can’t speak to Bain.
Agree with the above comments. I wanted to add that LSS program is very strong for PhDs. Many people started as LSSs and made partners at LEK.
Plenty of folks leave from LEK to LS VC roles - someone in my office literally just did that. The smaller network here isn’t an issue because you’ll have recruiters reaching out to you all the time for LS-related roles because of the LEK brand.
I would pick Bain hands down for the learnings on how to assess a target and our reputation in the investment community.
Thanks all for the insight! To follow up - would relatively small network be complemented by proactively networking if exit from LEK? Similarly, would relatively lacking in specific LS DD exposure be complemented by largest network if exit from Bain? Ultimately goal is to get into LS VC when market gets better, thanks!
You’ll get plenty of LS DD exposure at Bain, it’s a large part of our PEG practice (LS is only sub scale for Bain on the corporate side). So my view is still Bain would position you best for any investment role you are interested in
either is going to be okay - do you have offers from both? If not seems like that will be the forcing function...
I’d go with Bain