Celebrities Turned Venture Capitalists: Hollywood Stars Investing in Tech
In the glitzy world of Hollywood, becoming a venture capitalist has become the latest status symbol. Celebrities like Snoop Dogg, Kevin Hart, Paris Hilton, and more are not only conquering the entertainment industry but also making waves in the tech world by backing the next hottest startups.
Snoop Dogg: The famous rapper and personality is a prolific angel investor and the founder of Casa Verde Capital, a firm focused on cannabis investments. Snoop has backed companies like Cameo, Reddit, Klarna, and Robinhood, making at least 26 investments according to PitchBook.
Sara and Erin Foster: The Foster sisters launched a venture firm in 2022 with a focus on consumer companies, raising $20 million. They have invested in companies like the diaper brand Kudos and the luxury boxed wine company Juliet, showing their expertise in the consumer space.
Kevin Hart: Comedian Kevin Hart founded HartBeat Ventures to support minority and underrepresented founders. The firm has invested in companies like the art marketplace Masterworks and Rihanna’s Savage x Fenty lingerie line, highlighting its commitment to diversity and inclusion.
Paris Hilton: The famed socialite is an angel investor through her company 11:11 Media, focusing on social platforms, biotechnology, and SaaS products. Her investments include companies like MoonPay and Colossal Biosciences, showcasing her interest in cutting-edge technologies.
Ashton Kutcher: A notable celebrity VC, Ashton Kutcher co-founded two VC firms, A-Grade and Sound Ventures, with a focus on software companies. Sound Ventures has over $1 billion in assets under management and invests in AI companies, demonstrating Kutcher’s forward-looking approach to tech investments.
Nas: The famed rapper founded QueensBridge Venture Partners, making over 130 investments across various industries. Nas has invested in companies like Away and Parachute, showing his diverse portfolio in different sectors.
Gwyneth Paltrow: The Goop founder is an angel investor with investments in consumer and wellness companies. She co-founded Kinship Ventures and has backed companies like MoonPay and TeraWulf, emphasizing her interest in disruptive technologies.
Emma Watson: The actress has made angel investments in companies like FabricNano and Hertility Health, aligning with her activism for sustainability and women’s rights. Watson’s investments reflect her commitment to supporting impactful ventures.
Olivia Wilde: Actress and director Olivia Wilde launched Proximity, a venture firm focusing on consumer and enterprise technology. With investments in companies like Pendulum Therapeutics, Wilde is making her mark in the tech investment space.
Jay-Z: The music mogul is an angel investor and co-founder of MarcyPen Capital Partners, investing in companies like Sweetgreen and Epic Games. Jay-Z’s investments span various industries, showcasing his diverse interests in the tech world.
These celebrities are not just making headlines on the red carpet but also in the boardrooms of tech startups, proving that Hollywood stars can also shine bright in the world of venture capital.