Serena Williams is considered one of the greatest tennis players of all time but besides her prowess on the tennis court and the success she has achieved from being a professsional athlete, she has also succeeded in establishing herself as a businesswoman, an entrepreneur, an angel investor and a Venture capitalist.
The tennis pro has two businesses of her own;
- Her fashion line, S by Serena, created to empower women through an all-body inclusive style with authentic designs.
- Her jewellery line, Serena Williams Jewelry, creates beautifully made pieces using conflict-free diamonds and precious metals and are crafted in a facility by the responsible jewellery council.
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But the bulk of her billion-dollar empire comes from Serena venture – her early-stage venture capital fund which she has invested in 43 businesses and startups all over the world and across different sectors.
It was created in 2014 with the motive of giving founders opportunities to grow their businesses and increase their potential to achieve their goals.
The startups and businesses, the company has invested in, include:
- Innovative skincare companies like Alchemy 43; an aesthetics bar specializing in micro treatments for the skin and Billie, a shaving razor created specifically for the shaving needs of women.
- Andela; a company founded on the premise that brilliance is distributed evenly but opportunity is not, originating in Lagos, Nigeria. Created to give talented individuals – whose potential may be limited by various factors like race, nationality, gender- an opportunity and a platform to accelerate their career and give them visibility to potential employers and serve as a talent network.
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The company also shows its passion for women’s health as it invests in:
- Kiira; health a virtual clinic for women.
- LOLA; a company that manufactures products to aid feminine hygiene.
It also shows its passion for motherhood and children by its investments in:
- Every Mother; a company that provides mothers all the information they need to go through motherhood
- Zigazoo; a company that models its self like a Tik Tok for kids.
- Tonal; a Fitness company that uses technology to make sure workouts achieve great results.
- Coin Tracker; a cryptocurrency company.
- Esusu; a company that builds finance access and inclusion, Infinite Objects a company that prints videos.
- Impossible; a company that produces chicken nuggets from plants.
- Master class; a business that offers virtual classes to interested students on any course or skill taught by people famous in that field.
Read: Forbes top 10 highest paid athletes of 2021
What you should know
Most of the companies are, innovative, new and futuristic with a lot of growth potential. But they are mostly private companies, and haven’t gone public and therefore not offering their shares to the public for purchase.
However, Venture Capitalists looking to invest in companies have the option of looking up these companies as most of them are very futuristic and have the potential to be very successful.