She may have retired from tennis, but Serena Williams is still serving up BIG wins. After establishing Serena Ventures, a venture capital firm specifically designed for women and minority founders, she estimates that 14 of the companies in her portfolio have reached “unicorn status,” meaning they’re a privately held startup company valued at more than $1 billion. She shared, “I learned that less than 2% of all VC money went to women, and when I first heard that, I actually thought it was a misquote. I also learned that even less went to people of color.” She saw an opportunity to intentionally elevate underrepresented business owners and took it. Yes, she's investing in companies, but also equality. Real dollars are going toward a more equitable economy and future! I love to see it 👏
Serena Williams continues to inspire on and off the court, championing diversity and equity in entrepreneurship through Serena Ventures. Truly impactful work!
Serena Williams is an absolute pioneer, she has changed the world in tennis, spoke out about working and parenting "I used to think that work-life balance meant splitting your time 50-50. But I now realize that it is an ever-shifting formula that varies by day and year and person." and now she's changing the world of VC and making it equitable. Bravo
I wish all white women talking about that 1-2% also acknowledged that of these percentage minorities are less than 0,1%. Unfortunately most VC invest only in those who look like them and most organisations with focus on women initiatives are lead by and aim for white women.
The National Association of Women Business Owners reports that there are over 12 million women-owned businesses in the U.S., comprising about 40% of all businesses in the country. Notably, around 60% of these new women-owned businesses are started by women of color. Women-owned businesses generate nearly $2 trillion annually, underscoring the crucial need for women to have access to venture capital funds.
Serena Williams is a true inspiration! She's proving that her impact goes far beyond the tennis court. Investing in women and minority founders isn't just smart business, it's about creating a fairer playing field. I'm so here for it! 👏
In spite of this, we continue to build our business. However, there would be so many more great ideas and products in the market if women could have partners who would fund them from the idea stage. It's a problem with many programs that they don't fund innovation. They fund already successful ideas and take them to the next level where there is a much reduced chance of losing any money. This is understandable, but think we should call it what it really is.
Go Serena! Thank you for all you are doing to bring this important issue into the spotlight!! It makes NO sense that 2% of VC money goes to women and therefore also also Black and Hispanic women only being a fraction of that! We all know diverse businesses perform better than non diverse ones. Fact. So who are all of these “smart” VC leaders - wake up and unlock your next big moneymakers!! #womenentrpreneurs
Serena Williams continues to be a trailblazer both on and off the court! It's inspiring to see her using her platform and resources to support underrepresented founders and drive meaningful change in the venture capital landscape. Her commitment to fostering diversity and equality is truly commendable. This is the kind of leadership that makes a real difference in creating a more inclusive and equitable future. Kudos to Serena and Serena Ventures for their impactful work! 🌟
Shelley Zalis I truly believe traditional VC Funding is an anachronistic system with massive fault lines and deep biases that is no longer sustainable in the new age of AI, Blockchain & Tokenization. Over 3,200 startups went bust in 2023 alone with a total aggregate funding of $26 billion. At the same time, our western democracies are collapsing and Gen Z are poorer than ever by comparison to other generations and getting worse. In my perspective, we are a failed civilization considering all the technological advancement we’ve made and if ww3 breaks out, then it means all our technological advancement goes to zero! Considering AI will impact between 300 million to 900 million jobs by only 2030 and 83 million jobs will be gone forever, it seems to me we need Universal Venture Capital that is more egalitarian along with a Universal Basic Income that seems inevitable if our civilization wants to survive in the new age of exponential AI. I’m rather surprised our leaders and intellectuals are not understanding this tsunami ahead of us. It is no secret that the WEF believes we will own nothing and be happy by 2030. What does this mean is the question? I believe AI, Blockchain & Tokenization changes how funding should work Shelley 🌿
Digital Marketing, Retail and CRM Specialist. Strategic Marketer with over two decades working with leading luxury/premium brands and HNW individuals in the UK and worldwide.
3wThis is so important. Serena is doing the right thing and her shock is very relevant. Let’s remember women couldn’t get business loans without a man’s signature in the U.S. until 1988- a blueprint for why these conversations and need for change are still so pressing.