Stronger together

As we grow, we expand access to a broader range of SMB investments and bring deeper industry-specific expertise to rigorously evaluate each opportunity

About Us

About Us

Vin Rao, CFA, is the Founder and Managing Partner of SMB Value Investing Group (SMB VIG), a platform dedicated to private equity investments in high-quality businesses led by strong management teams.

He brings over 15 years of experience spanning public equity investing, mergers and acquisitions, and senior corporate finance leadership. Before founding SMB VIG, Vin held senior finance roles at Qualys, a global leader in cybersecurity, and previously served as Vice President at Morgan Stanley in the Semiconductors Group. He began his career as a Technology Equity Analyst at Strategic Investment Advisors.

Vin earned his MBA from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business, holds a Bachelor of Engineering from Delhi College of Engineering, and is a CFA charterholder.

Vin Rao

Vin Rao

Founder & Managing Partner

Our Strategic Expert Advisory Ecosystem

To support our mission of investing in exceptional growth businesses, we partner with accomplished professionals whose strategic and industry insights strengthen our evaluation process

Accomplished SMB entrepreneurs

Bring firsthand operating experience and practical insight to scaling Main Street businesses

Independent sponsors

Offer a deep expertise in sourcing, evaluating, and operating SMB investments across sectors

Public market investors

Contribute business perspective and valuation discipline from decades of public-company analysis

Private equity investors

Bring deal structuring expertise, operational rigor, and a focus on value creation in private markets.

Industry experts

Provide sector-specific knowledge that enhances diligence and informs strategic decision-making

Public company board memebrs

Offer governance insight, leadership, and experience in complex business environments