Serena Williams clarifies controversy: did not personally invest in Unrivaled 3×3
Serena Williams quickly turned to X to set the record straight. “This headline is inaccurate. Serena Williams (me) did not personally invest in Unrivaled.”
She explained that the investment was made by Serena Ventures, a venture capital fund managed by Beth Ferreira.
Although Williams remains a partner, she does not hold an operational role, so directly associating her name with every investment is a common misconception.
Serena Ventures has supported Angel City FC, Toronto Tempo, Cloud9 Esports, and other startups founded by women or minorities, spanning both sports and tech sectors.
This headline is inaccurate.
Serena Williams (me) did not personally invest in Unrivaled. @SerenaVentures, an institutional VC fund now run and managed by Beth Ferreira invested in Unrivaled. I remain a partner at Serena Ventures, not in an operational role. To say that Serena…— Serena Williams (@serenawilliams) September 8, 2025
Serena Ventures: more than just a fund
The mission of Serena Ventures goes beyond the numbers. After raising $111 million for its inaugural fund, Williams explained, “The reason I founded Serena Ventures is that I believe the venture capital ecosystem needs an inclusive player with a platform to drive large-scale change.”
The fund aims to close historical investment gaps by supporting female and minority founders while creating a tangible impact on everyday lives.
Williams shared that the inspiration for her fund came from a seminar on venture capital inequality: “Only 2% of all venture capital money goes to women, and even less to people of color.”
This fact motivated the former tennis star to ensure that Serena Ventures not only invests money but also transforms realities and generates opportunities for those traditionally excluded from the financial market.
The financial legacy of Serena Williams
While Serena Williams did not invest directly in Unrivaled, her indirect involvement through Serena Ventures reinforces her role as a leader in inclusive and responsible investing.
From sports to technology, every financial move by Serena Ventures reflects Williams philosophy. Using her influence to reshape the investment landscape and empower women and minorities across all sectors.
