Buyers and Builders How I Left PE to Buy Three Businesses in 90 Days | Reza Jafer Interview
Feb 7, 2026
Reza Jafer, managing partner at Second Byte Capital and former PE and banking pro, left corporate finance to buy and scale small businesses. He recounts financing creative deals, building an operator-led motor coach roll-up nearing eight-figure EBITDA. Topics include purchasing strategies, seller-friendly terms, fundraising shocks, scaling teams, and cross-border platform expansion.
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From TriVest To Independent Sponsor
- Reza left private equity after co-leading Canadian origination at TriVest to pursue independent sponsor deals.
- His social presence on X and network helped validate and accelerate the move into independent sponsorship.
SMB Underwriting Reignited Interest
- Reza's time at Lending Loop reconnected him to SMBs after underwriting 1,000+ businesses.
- That experience changed his view of SMBs as durable, profitable opportunities worth owning.
First Acquisition From An Online Listing
- Reza bought his first company from an online marketplace after direct Q&A with the motivated owner.
- He paid ~1.5x trailing cash flow with a 60% seller note and 40% cash, using real-estate-backed credit to bridge leverage.