Explore Private Equity Guides & Content
UpLevered is built for high-potential outsiders who want to break into private equity—and thrive once they’re in. Start with our new flagship guide on why the middle market is your smartest path, then explore the deeper recruiting and technical insights below.
The Playbook
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Guide: Middle Market Definition (LMM/MM/UMM)NEW
Practitioner’s guide to the U.S. middle market: clear definition, LMM/Core/UMM ranges (revenue, EBITDA, EV), 2024–2025 multiples, buy-and-build flywheel, financing map, and FAQs.
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Enterprise Value vs Equity Value (Complete Guide) ARTICLE, VALUATION
Definitions and formulas, the EV bridge (net debt, preferred, NCI, non-ops), IFRS 16/ASC 842 consistency, dilution (TSM/convertibles), CFDF equity checks, and M&A use cases.
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Net Operating Working Capital (NOWC) — Days → Cash Playbook ARTICLE, OPERATIONS
Define NOWC, use CCC and Days→Dollars math, and deploy AR, inventory, and AP levers—plus negative WC/float, ABL nuance, pegs, and mini-cases.
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Private Equity DPI (Liquidity & Pacing Guide) ARTICLE, METRICS
DPI vs TVPI/RVPI, ADR pacing, mid-life benchmarks, and how GP-led CVs, NAV lines, and dividend recaps impact realized cash—plus diligence checklists.
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Guide: Middle Market vs. Mega-Fund CareersNEW
Our flagship 2025 guide on where 80% of deals actually happen and why the MM is your highest-probability path to a PE role.
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Private Equity Interview Questions (Middle-Market Guide) ARTICLE, INTERVIEW
MM/LMM prep: 2-minute deal walks, paper LBO cadence, ABL/borrowing base, coverage bands (ICR/FCCR), and tight behavioral frameworks.
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Private Equity Salary 2025 — Base, Bonus & Carry by Level ARTICLE, COMP
2025 PE pay by level—analyst to MD. Base & bonus bands, carry math (MoIC), MM vs. MF, geography premiums, and a negotiation checklist.
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$150M Distribution LBO — 60-Minute Excel Lab ARTICLE, EXCEL
Hands-on case study: build a mini-LBO, model ABL borrowing base & WC shocks. Includes a downloadable model.
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Off-Cycle PE Recruiting Timeline (2025) NEW
Month-by-month windows (US & EU), application cadence, and hiring signals—turn chaos into a weekly system.
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Ultimate Guide: How to Break In
Step-by-step playbook on breaking into PE—built from real experience, not recycled advice.
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Investment Banking vs Private Equity (2025) — Hours, Pay & Exits ARTICLE, CAREERS
Plain-English comparison of roles, work, hours, compensation, recruiting (on/off-cycle), and who should pick which—especially in the middle market.
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How to Build an LBO Model — Middle-Market Guide GUIDE
Step-by-step LBO build: assumptions, sources & uses, FCF, debt schedule, XIRR/MOIC, and a 2×3 sensitivity matrix.
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Crafting a Killer PE Resume PDF, WORD
Showcase your background the right way—with tips, examples, and a downloadable template.
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Networking That Gets You Interviews
Real-world strategies for cold outreach that actually gets responses—templates, tier lists, and insider tips.
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Your Free PE Interview GuidePDF
25-page preview packed with frameworks that give you the ultimate edge in PE interviews.