What Makes Working at MP Corporate Finance Unique

Working at MP Corporate Finance has shaped my career in ways I did not fully anticipate when I first joined the firm as an intern. There were two things that particularly attracted me from the start. First, MP had developed a clear specialisation in industrial M&A. I have always been more interested in tangible businesses and products than in some of the more technology-driven sectors, so this was a natural fit for me. Second, MP was growing, and I liked the idea of joining a firm where there was still a lot being built.

Four years later, having progressed from Intern to Analyst, Senior Analyst and now Associate, these initial impressions have evolved into a much better understanding of what makes working at MP different.

For me, it largely comes down to the combination of an entrepreneurial culture, early responsibility and the opportunity to develop both transaction and industry expertise.

A culture where you are encouraged to contribute

MP has a more entrepreneurial culture than larger compared to larger and more institutionalised organisations. This is reflected in the way we work together and, in particular, in the limited hierarchy within deal teams.

There is no real barrier preventing a junior team member from approaching a Managing Partner, asking a question or expressing a different opinion. Of course, experience matters, but good arguments are considered regardless of where they come from. I have always appreciated being able to speak openly and feel that my perspective is considered.

Our relatively lean deal teams also contribute to this. A typical project team may consist of one Analyst or Associate, one Vice President and one Managing Partner. When I moved from my internship into a full-time role, this meant that I had to become increasingly independent quite quickly.

You are still supported by more experienced colleagues, but you are also expected to take ownership of your work. For me, finding that balance has been an important part of the learning experience.

Combining M&A execution with industry knowledge

One of the aspects I value most about working at MP Corporate Finance is that we combine industry coverage with M&A execution. Rather than having separate teams responsible for understanding an industry and executing a transaction, we remain involved across both. This means that you gradually develop knowledge of the markets in which your clients operate while also learning how to execute an M&A process.

Over time, this changes the way you approach a transaction. You start looking beyond the financials and asking broader questions: What differentiates this company from its competitors? Which market developments are relevant? Why could a particular investor be interested? And how should these elements be reflected in the equity story?

I experienced the value of this sector knowledge during a conversation with a potential investor who had initially decided not to pursue one of our opportunities. During the discussion, I was able to address some of their concerns and provide additional context on the market and the company’s positioning. The investor subsequently reconsidered the opportunity and joined the process.

Experiences like this have helped me understand why knowing the industry is an important part of advising a client, rather than simply an additional layer of knowledge. It is one of the reasons I find working at MP Corporate Finance genuinely rewarding.

Responsibility develops quickly

As an Analyst, for example, I already had opportunities to work directly with CFOs on financial models, discuss assumptions and understand the reasoning behind their forecasts. Naturally, this was always within a broader deal team, but having that exposure early on helped me become more comfortable when interacting with clients.

As I progressed, the nature of that responsibility changed. More recently, as an Associate, I was able to train a management team for presentations to potential investors. This involved discussing how certain aspects of the business could be communicated clearly and which topics might be particularly relevant to individual bidders.

Looking back, the biggest development has therefore not only been technical. I have become more confident in communicating my views, working with clients and managing other team members. These are skills that are difficult to learn from a textbook and largely come from practising them.

26 nationalities, one team

Another element that has shaped my experience at MP is the international nature of the team. With around 85 employees across offices in Vienna, London and Istanbul, 26 nationalities are represented across the firm. For me, this is more than an interesting statistic. People bring different backgrounds, experiences and perspectives to work, which naturally encourages you to remain open to different ways of thinking.

The relationships within the team also extend beyond day-to-day project work. We regularly have events that allow us to spend time together in a different setting. I have, for example, helped organise our biannual junior events, where Interns, Analysts and Associates can meet outside their usual project teams. This becomes particularly valuable during the more demanding periods that inevitably come with working in M&A. Having good relationships with the people around you makes those periods considerably easier.

Continuing to learn at MP Corporate Finance

What I appreciate most when looking back at my time working at MP Corporate Finance is that the role has continued to evolve.

As an intern, you primarily support the team and learn the fundamentals. Once you move into a full-time position, you gradually take greater ownership of your work. With further experience, the focus increasingly shifts towards client interaction, industry understanding, managing others and developing your own judgement. There is still plenty for me to learn, which is also part of what keeps the job interesting.

If you enjoy being challenged, taking responsibility and developing your own point of view, working at MP Corporate Finance gives you the environment to do that early in your career.

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