Wisdom. Clarity. Confidence.
Wisdom. Clarity. Confidence.
Set yourself up for success in private equity and owning a business by getting the training and network that sets you apart.
Set yourself up for success in private equity and owning a business by getting the training and network that sets you apart.
Join the waitlist
Pilot Release Summer 2025 → Extended content coming Fall 2025!
Who We Are - Meet Athena
We give real-world training to the next generation of private equity professionals, investors and future business owners using differentiated methods.
Athena is an end-to-end private equity focused M&A training program designed to bridge "theoretical" experience to real-world application.
Our program provides a clear and practical understanding of the full M&A lifecycle through hands-on instruction, real-world case studies, and frameworks that help you get to where you want to be.
Whether you're breaking into PE or want sharpen your ability to think like an investor in any field, Athena gives you the skills, mindset and support to stand out and thrive.
93% of Athena alumni have gone on to roles in M&A or are on fast track for the C-suite
93% of Athena alumni have gone on to roles in M&A or are on fast track for the C-suite
"Dave’s teaching approach was exactly what I had sought during college but never experienced. His approach enabled me to thrive and secure a rewarding role in M&A."
"Dave truly values individuality and quickly identifies how each person learns best."
"Dave's mentorship had a huge impact on my career. He made complex ideas easy to understand and created an environment where reaching out for advice felt natural."
"Dave is, without a doubt, the best teacher I've had in my professional career."
"Dave's teaching style boils down the complexities of private equity into a logical, thoughtful framework."
"Dave taught me more in 8 weeks than 4 years of college and smoothly transitioned me from aerospace to finance."
“The first formal finance exposure I received was through Dave—one of the most thoughtful and effective teachers I’ve ever come across. He reinforced my ability to think critically and adapt as I work through M&A deals in my career.”
"Dave has a knack for using clever analogies to simplify complex M&A concepts."
“David's training laid a solid foundation in financial modeling, due diligence, and valuation—skills I’ve since applied in a fintech master’s program, my role as a finance-focused software engineer, and while building my own startup.”
“The training I received from Dave & and the team was invaluable and prepared me greatly for my current role in investment banking."
"Dave is one of the best instructors I’ve worked with — incredibly knowledgeable and great at breaking down complex topics."
"Dave’s teaching approach was exactly what I had sought during college but never experienced. His approach enabled me to thrive and secure a rewarding role in M&A."
"Dave truly values individuality and quickly identifies how each person learns best."
"Dave's mentorship had a huge impact on my career. He made complex ideas easy to understand and created an environment where reaching out for advice felt natural."
"Dave is, without a doubt, the best teacher I've had in my professional career."
"Dave's teaching style boils down the complexities of private equity into a logical, thoughtful framework."
"Dave taught me more in 8 weeks than 4 years of college and smoothly transitioned me from aerospace to finance."
“The first formal finance exposure I received was through Dave—one of the most thoughtful and effective teachers I’ve ever come across. He reinforced my ability to think critically and adapt as I work through M&A deals in my career.”
"Dave has a knack for using clever analogies to simplify complex M&A concepts."
“David's training laid a solid foundation in financial modeling, due diligence, and valuation—skills I’ve since applied in a fintech master’s program, my role as a finance-focused software engineer, and while building my own startup.”
“The training I received from Dave & and the team was invaluable and prepared me greatly for my current role in investment banking."
"Dave is one of the best instructors I’ve worked with — incredibly knowledgeable and great at breaking down complex topics."
"Dave’s teaching approach was exactly what I had sought during college but never experienced. His approach enabled me to thrive and secure a rewarding role in M&A."
"Dave truly values individuality and quickly identifies how each person learns best."
"Dave's mentorship had a huge impact on my career. He made complex ideas easy to understand and created an environment where reaching out for advice felt natural."
"Dave is, without a doubt, the best teacher I've had in my professional career."
"Dave's teaching style boils down the complexities of private equity into a logical, thoughtful framework."
"Dave taught me more in 8 weeks than 4 years of college and smoothly transitioned me from aerospace to finance."
“The first formal finance exposure I received was through Dave—one of the most thoughtful and effective teachers I’ve ever come across. He reinforced my ability to think critically and adapt as I work through M&A deals in my career.”
"Dave has a knack for using clever analogies to simplify complex M&A concepts."
“David's training laid a solid foundation in financial modeling, due diligence, and valuation—skills I’ve since applied in a fintech master’s program, my role as a finance-focused software engineer, and while building my own startup.”
“The training I received from Dave & and the team was invaluable and prepared me greatly for my current role in investment banking."
"Dave is one of the best instructors I’ve worked with — incredibly knowledgeable and great at breaking down complex topics."
"Dave’s teaching approach was exactly what I had sought during college but never experienced. His approach enabled me to thrive and secure a rewarding role in M&A."
"Dave truly values individuality and quickly identifies how each person learns best."
"Dave's mentorship had a huge impact on my career. He made complex ideas easy to understand and created an environment where reaching out for advice felt natural."
"Dave is, without a doubt, the best teacher I've had in my professional career."
"Dave's teaching style boils down the complexities of private equity into a logical, thoughtful framework."
"Dave taught me more in 8 weeks than 4 years of college and smoothly transitioned me from aerospace to finance."
“The first formal finance exposure I received was through Dave—one of the most thoughtful and effective teachers I’ve ever come across. He reinforced my ability to think critically and adapt as I work through M&A deals in my career.”
"Dave has a knack for using clever analogies to simplify complex M&A concepts."
“David's training laid a solid foundation in financial modeling, due diligence, and valuation—skills I’ve since applied in a fintech master’s program, my role as a finance-focused software engineer, and while building my own startup.”
“The training I received from Dave & and the team was invaluable and prepared me greatly for my current role in investment banking."
"Dave is one of the best instructors I’ve worked with — incredibly knowledgeable and great at breaking down complex topics."
"Dave is one of the best instructors I’ve worked with — incredibly knowledgeable and great at breaking down complex topics."
“The training I received from Dave & and the team was invaluable and prepared me greatly for my current role in investment banking."
"Dave truly values individuality and quickly identifies how each person learns best."
“David's training laid a solid foundation in financial modeling, due diligence, and valuation—skills I’ve since applied in a fintech master’s program, my role as a finance-focused software engineer, and while building my own startup.”
“The first formal finance exposure I received was through Dave—one of the most thoughtful and effective teachers I’ve ever come across. He reinforced my ability to think critically and adapt as I work through M&A deals in my career.”
"Dave taught me more in 8 weeks than 4 years of college and smoothly transitioned me from aerospace to finance."
"Dave's teaching style boils down the complexities of private equity into a logical, thoughtful framework."
"Dave's mentorship had a huge impact on my career. He made complex ideas easy to understand and created an environment where reaching out for advice felt natural."
"Dave is, without a doubt, the best teacher I've had in my professional career."
"Dave’s teaching approach was exactly what I had sought during college but never experienced. His approach enabled me to thrive and secure a rewarding role in M&A."
"Dave has a knack for using clever analogies to simplify complex M&A concepts."
"Dave is one of the best instructors I’ve worked with — incredibly knowledgeable and great at breaking down complex topics."
“The training I received from Dave & and the team was invaluable and prepared me greatly for my current role in investment banking."
"Dave truly values individuality and quickly identifies how each person learns best."
“David's training laid a solid foundation in financial modeling, due diligence, and valuation—skills I’ve since applied in a fintech master’s program, my role as a finance-focused software engineer, and while building my own startup.”
“The first formal finance exposure I received was through Dave—one of the most thoughtful and effective teachers I’ve ever come across. He reinforced my ability to think critically and adapt as I work through M&A deals in my career.”
"Dave taught me more in 8 weeks than 4 years of college and smoothly transitioned me from aerospace to finance."
"Dave's teaching style boils down the complexities of private equity into a logical, thoughtful framework."
"Dave's mentorship had a huge impact on my career. He made complex ideas easy to understand and created an environment where reaching out for advice felt natural."
"Dave is, without a doubt, the best teacher I've had in my professional career."
"Dave’s teaching approach was exactly what I had sought during college but never experienced. His approach enabled me to thrive and secure a rewarding role in M&A."
"Dave has a knack for using clever analogies to simplify complex M&A concepts."
"Dave is one of the best instructors I’ve worked with — incredibly knowledgeable and great at breaking down complex topics."
“The training I received from Dave & and the team was invaluable and prepared me greatly for my current role in investment banking."
"Dave truly values individuality and quickly identifies how each person learns best."
“David's training laid a solid foundation in financial modeling, due diligence, and valuation—skills I’ve since applied in a fintech master’s program, my role as a finance-focused software engineer, and while building my own startup.”
“The first formal finance exposure I received was through Dave—one of the most thoughtful and effective teachers I’ve ever come across. He reinforced my ability to think critically and adapt as I work through M&A deals in my career.”
"Dave taught me more in 8 weeks than 4 years of college and smoothly transitioned me from aerospace to finance."
"Dave's teaching style boils down the complexities of private equity into a logical, thoughtful framework."
"Dave's mentorship had a huge impact on my career. He made complex ideas easy to understand and created an environment where reaching out for advice felt natural."
"Dave is, without a doubt, the best teacher I've had in my professional career."
"Dave’s teaching approach was exactly what I had sought during college but never experienced. His approach enabled me to thrive and secure a rewarding role in M&A."
"Dave has a knack for using clever analogies to simplify complex M&A concepts."
"Dave is one of the best instructors I’ve worked with — incredibly knowledgeable and great at breaking down complex topics."
“The training I received from Dave & and the team was invaluable and prepared me greatly for my current role in investment banking."
"Dave truly values individuality and quickly identifies how each person learns best."
“David's training laid a solid foundation in financial modeling, due diligence, and valuation—skills I’ve since applied in a fintech master’s program, my role as a finance-focused software engineer, and while building my own startup.”
“The first formal finance exposure I received was through Dave—one of the most thoughtful and effective teachers I’ve ever come across. He reinforced my ability to think critically and adapt as I work through M&A deals in my career.”
"Dave taught me more in 8 weeks than 4 years of college and smoothly transitioned me from aerospace to finance."
"Dave's teaching style boils down the complexities of private equity into a logical, thoughtful framework."
"Dave's mentorship had a huge impact on my career. He made complex ideas easy to understand and created an environment where reaching out for advice felt natural."
"Dave is, without a doubt, the best teacher I've had in my professional career."
"Dave’s teaching approach was exactly what I had sought during college but never experienced. His approach enabled me to thrive and secure a rewarding role in M&A."
"Dave has a knack for using clever analogies to simplify complex M&A concepts."
"Dave’s teaching approach was exactly what I had sought during college but never experienced. His approach enabled me to thrive and secure a rewarding role in M&A."
"Dave truly values individuality and quickly identifies how each person learns best."
"Dave's mentorship had a huge impact on my career. He made complex ideas easy to understand and created an environment where reaching out for advice felt natural."
"Dave is, without a doubt, the best teacher I've had in my professional career."
"Dave's teaching style boils down the complexities of private equity into a logical, thoughtful framework."
"Dave taught me more in 8 weeks than 4 years of college and smoothly transitioned me from aerospace to finance."
“The first formal finance exposure I received was through Dave—one of the most thoughtful and effective teachers I’ve ever come across. He reinforced my ability to think critically and adapt as I work through M&A deals in my career.”
"Dave has a knack for using clever analogies to simplify complex M&A concepts."
“David's training laid a solid foundation in financial modeling, due diligence, and valuation—skills I’ve since applied in a fintech master’s program, my role as a finance-focused software engineer, and while building my own startup.”
“The training I received from Dave & and the team was invaluable and prepared me greatly for my current role in investment banking."
"Dave is one of the best instructors I’ve worked with — incredibly knowledgeable and great at breaking down complex topics."
"Dave’s teaching approach was exactly what I had sought during college but never experienced. His approach enabled me to thrive and secure a rewarding role in M&A."
"Dave truly values individuality and quickly identifies how each person learns best."
"Dave's mentorship had a huge impact on my career. He made complex ideas easy to understand and created an environment where reaching out for advice felt natural."
"Dave is, without a doubt, the best teacher I've had in my professional career."
"Dave's teaching style boils down the complexities of private equity into a logical, thoughtful framework."
"Dave taught me more in 8 weeks than 4 years of college and smoothly transitioned me from aerospace to finance."
“The first formal finance exposure I received was through Dave—one of the most thoughtful and effective teachers I’ve ever come across. He reinforced my ability to think critically and adapt as I work through M&A deals in my career.”
"Dave has a knack for using clever analogies to simplify complex M&A concepts."
“David's training laid a solid foundation in financial modeling, due diligence, and valuation—skills I’ve since applied in a fintech master’s program, my role as a finance-focused software engineer, and while building my own startup.”
“The training I received from Dave & and the team was invaluable and prepared me greatly for my current role in investment banking."
"Dave is one of the best instructors I’ve worked with — incredibly knowledgeable and great at breaking down complex topics."
"Dave’s teaching approach was exactly what I had sought during college but never experienced. His approach enabled me to thrive and secure a rewarding role in M&A."
"Dave truly values individuality and quickly identifies how each person learns best."
"Dave's mentorship had a huge impact on my career. He made complex ideas easy to understand and created an environment where reaching out for advice felt natural."
"Dave is, without a doubt, the best teacher I've had in my professional career."
"Dave's teaching style boils down the complexities of private equity into a logical, thoughtful framework."
"Dave taught me more in 8 weeks than 4 years of college and smoothly transitioned me from aerospace to finance."
“The first formal finance exposure I received was through Dave—one of the most thoughtful and effective teachers I’ve ever come across. He reinforced my ability to think critically and adapt as I work through M&A deals in my career.”
"Dave has a knack for using clever analogies to simplify complex M&A concepts."
“David's training laid a solid foundation in financial modeling, due diligence, and valuation—skills I’ve since applied in a fintech master’s program, my role as a finance-focused software engineer, and while building my own startup.”
“The training I received from Dave & and the team was invaluable and prepared me greatly for my current role in investment banking."
"Dave is one of the best instructors I’ve worked with — incredibly knowledgeable and great at breaking down complex topics."
"Dave’s teaching approach was exactly what I had sought during college but never experienced. His approach enabled me to thrive and secure a rewarding role in M&A."
"Dave truly values individuality and quickly identifies how each person learns best."
"Dave's mentorship had a huge impact on my career. He made complex ideas easy to understand and created an environment where reaching out for advice felt natural."
"Dave is, without a doubt, the best teacher I've had in my professional career."
"Dave's teaching style boils down the complexities of private equity into a logical, thoughtful framework."
"Dave taught me more in 8 weeks than 4 years of college and smoothly transitioned me from aerospace to finance."
“The first formal finance exposure I received was through Dave—one of the most thoughtful and effective teachers I’ve ever come across. He reinforced my ability to think critically and adapt as I work through M&A deals in my career.”
"Dave has a knack for using clever analogies to simplify complex M&A concepts."
“David's training laid a solid foundation in financial modeling, due diligence, and valuation—skills I’ve since applied in a fintech master’s program, my role as a finance-focused software engineer, and while building my own startup.”
“The training I received from Dave & and the team was invaluable and prepared me greatly for my current role in investment banking."
"Dave is one of the best instructors I’ve worked with — incredibly knowledgeable and great at breaking down complex topics."
Athena alumni can now be found
What You'll Learn
How We're Different
Show, don't just tell. Train nuance, not just how to answer. Athena ties concepts to their execution.
Athena's difference is using hands-on application, examples, casework and a uniquely interactive teaching style that makes complex M&A concepts easier to grasp.
• Accelerate your path with a mentor who's trained 200+ into top roles
• Engage with content that is built around firsthand experience
• Learn through structure, context, story and guided discovery
• Build fluency and capability to demonstrate that you can belong in the room, not just speak to it
Show, don't just tell. Train nuance, not just how to answer. Athena ties concepts to their execution.
Athena's difference is using hands-on application, examples, casework and a uniquely interactive teaching style that makes complex M&A concepts easier to grasp.
• Accelerate your path with a mentor who's trained 200+ into top roles
• Engage with content that is built around firsthand experience
• Learn through structure, context, story and guided discovery
• Build fluency and capability to demonstrate that you can belong in the room, not just speak to it
Show, don't just tell. Train nuance, not just how to answer. Athena ties concepts to their execution.
Athena's difference is using hands-on application, examples, casework and a uniquely interactive teaching style that makes complex M&A concepts easier to grasp.
• Accelerate your path with a mentor who's trained 200+ into top roles
• Engage with content that is built around firsthand experience
• Learn through structure, context, story and guided discovery
• Build fluency and capability to demonstrate that you can belong in the room, not just speak to it
Your path forward awaits
Our next cohort is launching soon.
Join our waiting list to get updates, exclusive content, and first dibs when our next cohort launches.
Onward with Athena!
Join the waitlist
