Bain & Company

In 1967, William W. Bain, Jr. joined the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) after being offered a job by the founder, Bruce Henderson. Despite his lack of basic business knowledge, Bain quickly rose through the ranks at BCG and became known for his hard work and attention to detail.

In 1972, William W. Bain, Jr. unsuccessfully attempted to pressure Bruce Henderson, the founder of BCG, into stepping down. Bain was frustrated with BCG's project-oriented approach and wanted to implement a strategy to improve profitability of the entire business.

Bain & Company was founded on June 1, 1973.

In 1977, Mitt Romney joined Bain & Co. after completing his MBA at Harvard. He later co-founded Bain Capital, a separate entity with close ties to Bain & Co.

Bain & Company experienced significant growth and expansion by June 1, 1979.

During the Bain holiday party in 1980, attendees passionately sang 'BAIN - we're gonna grow forever!' to the tune of the anthem from the 1980 film 'Fame'. This event showcased the enthusiasm and success surrounding Bain & Company at the time.

In 1981, National Steel hired Bain and became the lowest-cost steel producer by 1984 after implementing Bain's recommendations to downsize and modernize, adopting new continuous-casting technologies.

In 1983, Bain Capital was founded as a limited partnership by W. Mitt Romney, focusing on investments in start-ups and buyouts to implement successful strategies.

Mitt Romney entered Bain during a critical period when the firm was facing financial challenges. His leadership and strategic decisions played a crucial role in reshaping the company's future.

Debt began to squeeze Bain after senior partners borrowed against their equity, leading the firm into a state of emergency. This financial crisis prompted significant changes.

Bain introduces a results-oriented business model that quickly spreads across the industry. The firm's guiding principles are outlined in the Bain Mission Statement.

Bain partners establish Bain Capital, a private equity firm that applies the same results-oriented approach used in Bain & Company to the field of private equity.

In January 1991, Mitt Romney returned as interim CEO of Bain & Company and is credited with rescuing the company from bankruptcy by implementing various restructuring measures.

From June 1, 1993, Bain & Company engaged in partnerships to ensure its survival.

By the end of 1999, Bain's exits logged a staggering 173% annual internal rate of return, showcasing remarkable success.

In the summer of 2000, Bain opened an office in New York City to accommodate talented individuals and launched BainNet to implement technology-driven strategies.

During the period from June 1, 2001, to June 1, 2004, Bain partnership strengthened the firm, laid the foundations for many institutional practices, expanded globally by opening new offices, and experimented with innovative business models, leading to unprecedented growth rates.

Bain & Company achieved significant milestones and successes from June 1, 2004.

By 2005, Bain had the largest market share in private equity consulting, becoming heavily involved in advising private equity firms on investments.

In November 2006, Bain Capital partnered to buy a hospital chain for $33 billion, marking a substantial investment.

In 2007, Bain & Co. expanded its global footprint by opening new offices in Kiev, Moscow, Helsinki, and Frankfurt. This expansion marked a significant growth in the firm's presence and operations worldwide.

In 2008, Bain expanded its global reach by opening offices in Buenos Aires and Copenhagen, showcasing their commitment to international growth.

Bain continued its global expansion in 2009 by establishing offices in Oslo and Mumbai, solidifying their presence in key international markets.

In 2010, Bain expanded its operations to Houston, further diversifying its geographical footprint and strengthening its market position.

After the dot-com crash and 9/11, Bain implements a strategy of disciplined investment in core capabilities and industry practices. Following their advice to clients, they 'lean in' during the economic downturn by hiring aggressively and investing to retain and protect their team, enabling them to gain market share from competitors and grow despite the slowdown.

In 2012, Bain established an office in Warsaw, further enhancing its global network and presence in Europe.

In February 2013, Bain & Company joined 277 other companies in signing an amicus brief to the Supreme Court of the United States, expressing support for overturning the Defense of Marriage Act.

In 2018, Bob Bechek announced stepping down as the worldwide managing director of Bain & Company, with Manny Maceda succeeding him.

In 2021, Bain introduced the Power Round format for all US and Toronto interviews for 2Y MBAs, consisting of a total of three 40-minute interviews.

Bain & Company resigned from Business Leadership South Africa following significant criticism after the release of the Zondo Commission report.

The UK Cabinet Office announced a three-year ban on Bain & Company from tendering for UK government contracts due to grave professional misconduct in state corruption in South Africa.

South Africa's National Treasury announced a 10-year ban on Bain & Company from state contracts in South Africa due to alleged corrupt and fraudulent practices.

The ban on Bain & Company from UK government contracts was lifted in March 2023, allowing the company to bid for public contracts in the UK again.

Information about the application deadlines for the year 2024.