Leaving MBB after 15 months for promising Startup career suicide?

Question

Hi Preplounge,

I have a question on exit. Currently working at MBB, 31 yrs old for 1 yr. post MBA. Prior to that 5 years of BE in startup companies. Got very good ratings til now.

Now I have an option for an exit to leadership at a super early stage startup for 10% equity, 2m funding and existing large clients and what I would consider a promising team and product. However, its early stage so I know the odds are still stacked against you.

In general I am enticed to take the offer because it feels like a solid opportunity before my girlfriend wants children and I require and desire more stability. However, I have some concerns I would like to challenge:

1. Lack of tenure leads to lack of follow-up job opportunities:

MBB for me was the decision to derisk my CV. I have a-list universities in my resume, but on the employment side I only have "no-name" startups (no big names like Revolut, etc.)
So my rational was to put MBB there so that I keep my options open to switch to industry in a strategy/digital role later.
I heard that especially for post-mba hires 2 yrs is minimum for corporate which also feels a bit in line with the lack of recruiter messages on LinkedIn I receive (only 3 so far).
Question: Is 14-18 months tenure sufficient to still get a foot in the corporate world/+100K exit options if the startup fails?
- I am afraid I dont get good paying exit options (+100K)
- I am afraid that larger corporate will not hire me anymore because of too much startup
- I am afraid I don´t get the roles that are usually only for consultants open (strategy roles, corporate development, etc.)

2. Wasting a good timing to jump into industry:

I have started to develop my "niche" with digital/AI and GenAI transformation that combines the work I did prior to MBB as well as in the projects itself.
I feel like this could be an extremly good time especially with the GenAI component to get a very good exit. With another startup experience I feel like I would dilute this.

3. Too old to boomerang

From colleagues I heard a return offer is common with the exit package for 1-1.5 yrs.
My thinking was that if the startup fails or does not develop the way I except I can boomerang back to go another round at MBB for 1-2 yrs before getting the industry exit.
However my concern here is that I am too old to do that because by the time I return I am 33 and by the time I exit as associate/con/manager/project leader to industry I am at least 35.

Thank you for the help!

Answer 1

This is ultimately a risk appetite question that you would need to answer for yourself - are you willing to take the risk for multiples of what you could ever make in consulting?

To answer your question directly, i would expect MBB to "take you back" if you choose to return, especially if you've kept your connections warm when you left. McK in some regions have a formalised return to offer for BAs to return after work experience elsewhere.

Also to calibrate your exit options - at least in London, £100k+ exits in Corporate (not buy-side) are only possible at the Senior Associate+ levels and most common at the EM+ level

Answer 2

The answer to that question I cannot determine, and I think it’s one which no one can say with certainty which is the better option. There’s an Associate who left and is now a multi-millionaire, there are some who stayed and still didn’t attain what they thought they’d get. Exit opportunities are largely influenced by the network you build in the Firm and outside, you sequence it right and you’ll have the backing of good people no matter which option you take.

The real question then becomes how much you are willing to pursue what you could have, at the expense of what you already have. You know what the MBB ladder looks like along with the pay escalations. On the other hand, you’ve got a riskier option that could potentially yield greater returns (financially and experience-wise)

Answer 3

Hi there!

Congrats for the offer!

Based on what I hear from you, I would rather lean towards not doing it.

Why?

1. Indeed, it's best if you have at least 2 years of MBB experience. This is when most other employers assume that you've already absorbed the toolkit and can deliver at MBB standard. Going beyong the 2 year mark is even better, especially if you also get leadership (EM / PL) case experience.

2. You'll be amazed at how many more opportunities will come along. Especially in my last 2 years or so in the firm, I would get something worth considering every other week.

Last but not least, you can't know how these parallel futures will develop anyway, so also trust your gut and do what you think is likely most aligned with your long term priorities.

Best,
Cristian

Answer 4

Hi Malte!

I would say it is not career suicide at all, just a trade-off. leaving after 15 months is fine, especially with strong ratings and a clear story. your MBB stamp already “derisks” your CV. yes, 2+ years can make recruiter traction easier, but 14–18 months with a strong narrative + a legit startup move won’t block you from good strategy/corp dev exits, especially if the startup has real traction and clients. the key is to frame it as a bold but informed leadership move, not a random jump.

=> on GenAI timing: true, but building hands-on startup leadership in that space could actually boost your profile for AI/digital exec roles later—just keep visibility and results clear.

=> re: boomerang—33–35 is totally fine. MBBs care more about value-add and fit than age. if you're strong and keep in light touch, you can come back or use the startup as a launchpad into top industry roles. it’s not about age, it’s about story and momentum.

happy to help sharpen your thinking if you want!

best, Alessa 😊

Answer 5

There is no right answer to this one. It depends on the strength of your belief in the startup, as well as your fundamental risk appetite.

The majority of early-tenure post-MBA consultants would probably not leave in your position, given that a promotion another wave of new exit opportunities are about a year away.

That being said, the potential upside if your startup is a hit would dwarf anything you'll make at McKinsey in the next several years...

Answer 6

If you believe that this startup experience is worth having (for whatever reason), go for it.

To be honest, the people telling you this is career suicide etc are often people who have only stayed in consulting and have not dared to venture out of that comfort zone.

You are never (well...almost never or nothing you need to worry about now) too old to boomerang as long as you leave in good standing.

Answer 7

I wouldn't recommend it unless you want to continue down the path as the permanent start up guy

Answer 8

Hi there,

Before jumping into the startup role, get brutally honest about your long-term goal.

If your main driver is money, prestige, or opening doors in the corporate world — then you need to stress-test whether this startup opportunity actually aligns with that. Is it funded? Scalable? Will it give you visibility, a real network, or just a “cool” title and chaos?

Startups can be amazing — if they’re aligned with your real endgame. If not, they might just be a fun detour that delays what you actually want.

Best,

Alberto