Pros
I worked at AGC for over 5 years. At AGC I had the opportunity to work on sell-side M&A and private placement transactions across every major technology vertical. AGC provides outstanding exposure to the investment banking industry while avoiding many of the negative stereotypes associated with IB. If you work hard and prove your value to the team, AGC is quick to promote. AGC is laser focused on developing the skills of their junior bankers. Partners are very approachable, and their sector expertise across the various technology verticals makes them a tremendous resource for developing junior talent. AGC is especially strong in Cybersecurity, Enterprise Software, Vertical SaaS, FinTech, HCIT and Infrastructure, which are the hottest and fastest growing technology sub-verticals. This tech expertise is a true differentiator for the firm. The culture of AGC is another component that sets the firm apart. Frequent formal and informal corporate outings, whether at a bar for a playoff game or the annual trip to Bermuda, help develop strong comradery between junior bankers and partners alike. The junior banking team is close both within and outside of the office, and the environment is highly collaborative as opposed to “cut-throat”. AGC also does a great job of supporting and helping to place employees that express interest in other tangential areas such as PE / VC, tech operations roles, corporate development, and B school. Overall, AGC is an outstanding place to pursue a career in technology M&A.
Cons
AGC is not for the faint of heart. AGC pushes its junior bankers hard, and expects extremely high quality output. That said, once you have learned the ropes and proven yourself to be a hard worker, the work-life balance becomes very manageable and is well supported by senior management. The last thing the firm wants is its junior bankers to “burn out”.