Iconic tennis champion and entrepreneur Venus Williams has been named Operating Partner of Topspin Consumer Partners, a private equity firm. Williams will work with portfolio companies to broaden marketing strategies, increase brand exposure, and source new investment opportunities.
“Venus is not only one of the greatest athletes of all time, but she is also an established entrepreneur, investor, and philanthropist,” Leigh Randall, Managing Partner of Topspin, said in a statement.
Williams has founded several innovative consumer brands, including Happy Viking, a plant-based superfood nutrition company; lifestyle and activewear brand EleVen; and interior design firm V Starr. In May 2020, she partnered with Credo Beauty to debut an award-winning line of clean, mineral-based SPF products under the EleVen by Venus umbrella. She also serves as Chief Brand Officer to Asutra, a growing health, wellness, and beauty brand.
“What resonated with me most about Topspin was the team’s deep understanding of consumer investing and genuine desire to help entrepreneurs and visionaries reach their full potential,” Williams said in a statement. “I’ve learned so much about navigating the competitive consumer landscape from my own ventures, and strongly believe this is the perfect opportunity for me to leverage my expertise to add value.”
Topspin concentrates on fast-growing middle-market companies that sell consumer “essentials” and leverage digital marketing and e-commerce platforms to build brand exposure and expand distribution. Verticals include health and wellness, beauty, personal care, food and beverage, and household goods.
Williams, who has won seven Grand Slam titles, five Wimbledon championships, and four Olympic gold medals, has been a fierce advocate for equal rights. She led the drive to push Wimbledon to award women players the same pay as their male counterparts. Also, she launched an awareness initiative called the #PrivilegeTax to bring attention to wage inequality on a grassroots level.
