Pros
AGC is a place that is passionate about finding exciting emerging growth companies, building strong relationships with their management teams and boards, and helping them achieve their objectives. Junior bankers are given a tremendous opportunity to prove out their core capabilities on 4+ live transactions at a time and work directly with senior bankers, CEOs, buyers, investors, and board members. Senior bankers take pride in mentoring the junior bankers and work alongside them 24x7 to show them what it takes to be a successful banker. AGC alum have moved on and have joined a very impressive list of strategics, VCs, PEs, startups, graduate schools and other investment banks. For those that want to be senior boutique tech bankers and have the ability, AGC has home grown several current senior bankers. There is a great team atmosphere and camaraderie at AGC. Junior and senior team members volunteer together, go on annual team building trips to Newport and Miami and go on team runs and workout in the company gym.
Cons
Investment banking is not for everyone. AGC's clients expect a lot from AGC, and likewise, the senior AGC bankers expect a lot from the junior AGC bankers. What goes hand in hand with the benefits of streamlined deal teams, is transparency into the actual capabilities and performance of junior bankers. While this focus can accelerate the career development of individuals that have the aptitude and the desire to be the best bankers they can, it can be overwhelming and frustrating for those with less aptitude or desire.