Why Accel-KKR: Interviews, Careers, & Portfolio (2024)

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Accel-KKR Overview

Accel-KKR (AKKR) is a technology-focused private equity firm based in Menlo Park, California with additional offices in London and Mexico City..

The firm primarily invests in clean technology sectors, SaaS, healthcare technology, B2B, commercial services, information technology services, and software.

AKKR prefers to focus on middle-market and provide capital solutions from minority-growth investments to recapitalizations, buyout, going-private transactions, and divisional carve-outs.

One of the ways the firm adds value to their portfolio companies is through their benchmarking program. AKKR makes use of the data they’ve collected from 300+ B2B software and tech-enabled companies for this proprietary model – which allows participants to compare their performance to their peer group so that they can easily spot areas for improvement and create an action plan. The participation in the said benchmarking program is free even for companies outside AKKR’s portfolio.

The firm was founded in 2000 by Tom Barnds, Paul Hazen, Jim Breyer, Rob Palumbo, and George R Roberts.

Accel-KKR AUM

As per the most recent regulatory filings, Accel-KKR has $19.1 billion cumulative capital commitments as of March 31, 2023.

Accel-KKR Interview Process & Questions

The interview process can change from time to time for each candidate. However, the general nature of the interview process for Accel-KKR (or a firm like it) tends to remain the same in most cases.

• You’ll go through 4 to 6 rounds of interviews.
• The junior investment professionals or the HR team will lead the initial rounds, while the more senior staff take care of the later rounds.
• It could take several weeks before the firm selects the right candidate for the role (unless it is “on-cycle” or “on-campus recruiting)

Interviews at Accel-KKR will be a combination of behavioral questions, fit questions, and technical / investing questions.

For interview preparation resources, check out my Growth Equity Interview Guide.

Why Accel-KKR

Interviewers almost always ask this question: “Why this firm?”

It’s one of the most common and important questions you’ll encounter. If you’ve done networking prior to the interview and met amazing people from the firm, this is the perfect opportunity to mention whoever you’ve made connections with and share how they positively influenced your decision to apply.

Taking some time to research the firm will also help you come up with relevant answers during interviews. For this, I highly recommend listening to interviews with its founders, investors, and employees.

For starters, here’s a great interview with Steven Berman, Accel-KKR’s Director of Executive Search:

More interviews

• Interview with Rachel Spasser, Managing Director & CMO for the Accel-KKR
• Steve Siwinski, senior finance leader at Accel-KKR, on evolving the PE CFOs

Accel-KKR Case Study

Interviewees often get asked to conduct a case study during interviews. Firms use case studies to evaluate the candidate’s level of technical knowledge and communication skills.

Typically, case studies at firms like Accel-KKR center around investment recommendations and financial modeling. However, junior roles may also be required to do a cold calling case study as well.

I’ve discussed case studies in great detail inside my Growth Equity Interview Guide. Feel free to check it out.

Accel-KKR Salary & Compensation

Based on Glassdoor’s data, summer analysts and associates who work at Accel-KKR receive an estimated total pay of $92,612 and $86,910 per year, respectively. These figures represent the median salary and can slightly differ depending on the candidate’s experience, education, and skills.

Analyst

Associate

Accel-KKR Careers, Jobs, & Internships

If you’re interested in joining Accel-KKR, check out our job board to view all open roles for them and other similar firms.

Accel-KKR Portfolio & Investments

In Accel-KKR’s 20-plus year history, the firm has a proven track record – with 350+ investments completed and 11 funds. This makes AKKR one of the most active PE firms in the tech and software sector.

Notable Transaction: Submittable

Submittable is a software company which helps countless government and philanthropic organizations, and corporations launch, organize, and track social impact initiatives – from awards and grants to relief funds and CSR efforts.

On June 13, 2022, Submittable was able to raise $47 million in Series C funding led by Accel-KKR with participation of existing investors.

Since its Series B funding, Submittable has almost doubled their size and even opened a branch in Bellevue, Wash.

The funds were allocated for Submittable’s product development to keep up with the consistent growth of social impact programs.

Submittable expects to double their headcount and make office expansion in the next 18 months.

Next Steps

Accel-KKR can be the perfect firm for anyone passionate in the technology sector. If the firm piques your interest and you’d like to be part of their amazing team, I highly suggest you check out my Growth Equity Interview Guide.

This self-paced online course will show you everything you need to know to deliver impressive answers to interview questions and output to different exercises such as case studies, financial modeling, and more.

Check out the course and start learning today!