About US

We are deeply committed to preserving the legacy, culture, and relationships you've built, and we’ll ensure the business continues to thrive with integrity and care.

Derby Street Partners is a husband-and-wife-led search fund focused on acquiring, growing, and leading an exceptional business.
Named after the street where we first met, Derby Street symbolizes our shared vision and commitment to building something meaningful.
We are not a private equity firm. Leveraging the “Search Fund” model, we aim to bring a new perspective, operational expertise, and a firm commitment to building the legacy of the business we acquire.
We see the heart and dedication you've poured into this business, and we're committed to honoring that by leading with integrity, nurturing trust, and building on the strong foundation you’ve created.
Rooted in lessons from our entrepreneurial families who are immigrants and refugees, we value and practice hard work, resilience, and dedication—principles that guide our approach to entrepreneurship and business leadership. At Derby Street Partners, we believe the American Dream is alive, and we are living proof of its potential as we continue to pursue it.

Meet the team

Samimi Haroon

Principal & Co-Founder

Born and raised in the SF Bay Area, Samimi brings over six years of experience in the real estate sector, managing over $200M in transactions. He began his career at MidPen Housing as the fastest-promoted Project Manager in its history and later joined Merritt Capital, focusing on private equity investments in low-income housing.
Currently pursuing his MBA at The Wharton School, Samimi focuses on finance and entrepreneurship, applying his expertise to create meaningful impact and drive operational excellence. Outside of work, he is passionate about archery, mentoring youth, community service, and exploring the outdoors.

Yanna Gong

Principal & Co-Founder‍

Raised in Minneapolis, Yanna grew up working at her family’s business— a network of acupuncture clinics that have served their community for over three decades. Through this work she developed an early understanding of managing and scaling small businesses.
In addition, Yanna has over five years of experience in B2B software companies of all stages and sizes, having held senior roles in marketing, commercialization, business development, and venture investing.
An MIT Sloan/Tsinghua MBA graduate, she combines strategic vision with operational expertise to support sustainable growth. In her free time, Yanna enjoys tennis, long walks, and meaningful conversations.

Values

Stewardship

We are dedicated to preserving and growing your business in a way that honors its legacy, values, and the contributions of everyone who has made it what it is today.
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Trust

We prioritize building strong relationships with you, your employees & your customers, ensuring the culture and legacy you’ve created are cared for and strengthened.

Excellence

We don’t take shortcuts and are dedicated to upholding the high standards you’ve set, focusing on efficiency and strategic execution.
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Grit

We persevere through challenges with resilience and determination, staying committed to the hard work it takes to build and sustain a lasting business.

Investment Criteria

Our investment approach prioritizes industries where we can leverage our expertise and create meaningful impact, such as the built environment, government services, and software or software-enabled businesses.

We are particularly interested in companies that exhibit the following characteristics:

Profitability and Stability

A proven history of profitability with consistent, recurring revenue streams.

Operational Strength

Established operations with scalable processes and efficient cost structures.

Growth Potential

Opportunities for organic growth, market expansion, or operational improvements.

REACH OUT TO US

Considering selling or know someone we should connect with? Reach out—we’d love to talk.

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