Serena Williams, a legendary tennis champion, is making her mark in the tech investment world with her venture capital fund, Serena Ventures.
Serena Ventures
Following her retirement in September 2022, Williams has focused on the investment sector.
With over 14 years of investment experience, she established Serena Ventures in 2014, a venture capital fund to empower women and underrepresented founders.
This strategic move was born from Williams’ observation of the glaring lack of venture capital flowing toward specific demographics.
As highlighted on its website, her venture proudly supports a diverse array of founders, with 79% being underrepresented, 54% women, 47% Black, and 11% Latino.
Williams’ portfolio is impressive, featuring over 85 companies, including healthcare startup HUED and Parfait, led by Black women.
14 Companies Achieving Unicorn Status
Remarkably, 14 companies in her portfolio have achieved unicorn status, each valued at over $1 billion.
“I learned that less than 2% of all VC money went to women,” Williams explained in a TikTok video.
“And so I knew right then and there that one day I wanted to raise a fund or raise money and invest in women.”
Some notable investments include Masterclass, an online education platform featuring expert-led classes; Impossible Foods, a plant-based meat alternative company; and Wave, a $1.7 billion fintech company bringing mobile payments to Africa.
