What I Wish I Knew as a PE Associate
One of my most vivid memories as an associate was working on my first take-private deal at Providence Equity.
A senior partner asked me to run numbers on a potential LBO. I built the model, triple-checked my math, and prepared for our call. When he opened with "So what do you think we should do here?"—I launched into a ten-minute monologue about numbers and returns. Silence.
The next morning, he looped in a VP to take the lead.
That's when it clicked: modeling alone won't make you stand out. What matters is judgment and the ability to shape a diligence process that proves or disproves a thesis.
Why I Built A PE Course
Reflecting on that experience, I wanted to create something that guides you through the full deal process—not just the modeling. The initial cohort included associates from Carlyle, Apax, Charlesbank, and Gryphon. Their feedback shaped the course into what it is today—practical training that actually mirrors the job.
"It helped me fill in gaps in my knowledge from my work as PE Associate and gave me more confidence as I think about recruiting. It contains a lot of insight into 'on the job' things that most prep courses don't contain."
Former UMM PE Associate, current Harvard Business School student
I originally built this for PE firms’ onboarding program, but since learned that HR teams couldn't see why their current approach (100+ hours of outdated videos and disorganized training) wasn't working.
So I’m brining it directly to you. Now I’m on a mission to help more junior professionals avoid these early career mistakes.
Here's What's Inside:
The course is designed as a full PE deal lifecycle simulation (NDAs → Models → Memos → Diligence → Purchase docs → Funds flow), including:
- ~5 hours of bite-sized videos & exercises + 44 real-life files (15-20 hours to complete)
- What VPs/Partners actually expect from you
You should walk away knowing exactly how U.S. PE firms do deals from start to finish.
Here’s My Offer:
I know you’re bright and ambitious—you took the time to read my newsletter. And I don’t want you to make the same mistake that I made as an associate and I saw many of the associates at Providence and Tailwind make, including those from top Ivy League schools and top investment banks.
- Take a look at this free preview walking through a real-life funds flow to get a feel for the course
- Use code: NEWSUBSCRIBER at checkout to get 50% off if you’d like to purchase
- If the course isn’t helpful, email me. I’ll give a 14-day full-refund guarantee
I only ask that you leave a testimonial at the end if the course was valuable to you.
P.S. Students: Can’t afford the price? Email me with proof you’re a student & what you can pay. I believe in making PE education accessible and will offer special discounts on case by case basis.
Onwards,
~Edwin
Email: [email protected]
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/edwinyun
Instagram: @road_to_carry
