Serena Williams earns a lot as a businesswoman

Serena Williams is one of the best female tennis players of all time.

But she also achieves great success outside the tennis court – as a venture capitalist.

– I have developed a habit of trusting my gut, writes the 23-time grand slam winner in an email to Business Insider.

In September announced Serena Williams41, that she is hanging up her tennis racket after topping the world rankings for 319 weeks.

In a post on his Instagram she explained her decision:

“The countdown has started. I have to focus on being a mother, on my dreams and finally getting time to explore another, more exciting side of Serena.”

Now Williams seems to have found his new calling – as a venture capitalist.

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Explains the secret of success

And so far, things have gone well for the American, who has built up an impressive portfolio in a short time.

Ten years ago, Williams began investing among various startup companies.

In 2017, she started her own venture capital company, Serena Ventures, which last year had raised over one billion kroner in capital, according to Reuters. On Business Insider’s list of top 30 female investors, she comes in third place.

The former star primarily targets companies whose founders belong to underrepresented groups.

More than half of the companies she has invested in have been started by women and 47 percent of the founders have dark skin.

In an email to Business Insider, Williams talks about the secret behind the success.

“Coming from a sports background, in an individual sport I have developed a habit of trusting my own gut.”

Lies awake at night

She also writes that she is driven by a certain desire for revenge.

“I know what it’s like to be incredibly talented and not get exposure because of the color of your skin. That’s another reason I love investing – closing that gap.”

But the success has not come without a price.

In an interview with Business Insider, business colleague Wemimo Abbey testifies about how the former tennis star can sometimes lie sleepless at night because of all his various corporate commitments.

Sometimes she even chimes in in the wee hours to discuss various business-related issues, says Abbey, who admits she is shocked by William’s drive and passion for her new job.

– I thought: “Now wait, Serena Williams is thinking about Esusu at four in the morning”. This is really cool. That’s how you know you’ve succeeded, she says.