From Corporate Exec to ETA: Looking to Connect with Operators Who Made the Leap

searcher profile

September 23, 2025

by a searcher from Northwestern University - Kellogg School of Management in Austin, TX, USA

Hi Search funder community! I’m interested in connecting with searchers and operators who previously held executive/leadership roles in corporate or later-stage startups and then transitioned into the ETA world. I’m especially curious to hear from those who chose the traditional model over the self-funded path — what drove that decision, and how has it shaped your journey so far? Also, if you stayed close to the industry you worked in before or switched to something different. Please DM or comment if you are available to connect!. Thanks!
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Reply by a searcher
from City University of New York, Hunter College in Stafford, VA, USA
I appreciate this post, Bhavana. I’m a former corporate exec now in the search phase, and I’m especially interested in hearing from operators who made the leap from leadership roles into ETA. It’s helpful to learn how others approached the traditional vs. self-funded path and what they discovered along the way. Would love to connect and compare notes.
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Reply by a searcher
from Northwestern University in Salvador, State of Bahia, Brazil
Hi Happy to talk 13+ years in corporate world: operational roles, leadership roles and consulting (McKinsey) Feel free to reach redacted Running a traditional SF in partnered search.
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