Vineet Rai is the founder and managing director of Aavishkaar, a pioneering venture equity fund established in 2001, which manages almost $300 million. Rai, a former forester, launched Aavishkaar to provide high-risk capital to early-stage enterprises in India’s low-income states, creating jobs and lifting people out of poverty. His notable successes include transforming Odisha’s dairy sector with Milk Mantra and achieving a 13-fold return on Equitas Microfinance. Despite his aversion to being labeled an ‘impact investor,’ Rai’s investments generate significant social and financial returns. Additionally, he founded Intellecap to support rural enterprises, and together with Aavishkaar, the group now manages $590 million in assets, providing comprehensive financial services. Rai’s leadership attracts major partners like the International Finance Corporation and Dutch development bank FMO, solidifying his impact on venture equity.