Celebrity Investments in Tech Startups, Brands and New Businesses

Celebrities are no longer limiting themselves to movies, music, sports, and television. Many of the world’s biggest stars are investing their money in technology startups, consumer brands, financial companies, and emerging businesses.

Their fame gives them an advantage that traditional investors often do not have. Celebrities can provide startups with capital, publicity, social-media exposure, industry connections, and access to millions of potential customers.

Some have invested personally, while others have created venture capital firms to build portfolios of new businesses.

1. Ashton Kutcher — Technology and Venture Capital

Ashton Kutcher is one of the most active celebrity investors in the technology industry.

He co-founded A-Grade Investments in 2010 and later co-founded Sound Ventures in 2015. His investment career has included companies such as Airbnb, Uber, Spotify, Duolingo, Robinhood, and other technology businesses. (Sound Ventures)

Kutcher’s approach has gone far beyond simply putting his name behind startups. He has participated in venture investing for nearly two decades and has developed a reputation for identifying technology companies at relatively early stages.

In 2026, Kutcher moved into a new chapter of his investment career. He left Sound Ventures to launch a new venture firm with Morgan Beller. The new firm, Decimal Capital, is reportedly targeting areas such as infrastructure, energy, and deep technology in a post-AI world. (TechCrunch)

2. Jay-Z — Technology, Consumer Brands and Startups

Jay-Z has built a diversified investment portfolio covering entertainment, technology, consumer products, financial services, and beverages.

His investment activities have included companies such as Oatly, Impossible Foods, Robinhood, Away, and other startups. His venture interests have also included companies connected to Roc Nation’s investment operations. (TechCrunch)

Jay-Z’s strategy is notable because he does not rely entirely on traditional celebrity endorsements.

Instead, he often takes ownership positions in businesses that he believes can grow over time.

This approach has helped transform his career from that of a successful musician into that of a major entrepreneur and investor.

3. Serena Williams — Serena Ventures

Serena Williams entered the startup world through Serena Ventures.

The investment firm focuses on early-stage companies, particularly businesses operating in areas such as consumer products and software.

Serena Ventures has invested in numerous startups and has participated in companies that eventually reached billion-dollar valuations. Reports in 2025 indicated that the fund had raised $111 million and invested in 16 unicorns. (Business Insider)

Williams’ investment strategy demonstrates how professional athletes can use their wealth and networks to participate in the growth of emerging companies.

4. Leonardo DiCaprio — Technology and Sustainability

Leonardo DiCaprio has invested in a range of businesses, particularly companies connected to sustainability, technology, and consumer products.

His investment interests have included environmentally focused businesses and technology startups.

DiCaprio’s celebrity profile can provide companies with significant publicity, especially when their products are connected to climate, sustainability, or consumer trends.

His investment strategy reflects a broader shift among celebrities toward businesses that combine commercial opportunities with social and environmental themes.

5. Will Smith — Technology and Consumer Startups

Will Smith has participated in investments across technology and consumer businesses.

Through investment partnerships and personal investments, Smith has supported startups operating in areas including digital media, technology, and consumer products.

Celebrity investors like Smith can bring more than capital to a startup. Their public visibility can help companies gain attention and introduce products to audiences that may otherwise be difficult to reach.

6. Snoop Dogg — Consumer Brands and Technology

Snoop Dogg has become an active investor and entrepreneur across several industries.

His business interests have included consumer products, entertainment, technology, food, and other emerging businesses.

He has also participated in startup investments, demonstrating how musicians can use their cultural influence to build portfolios beyond the entertainment industry.

Snoop’s approach is particularly focused on businesses that connect naturally with his personal brand and audience.

7. Nas — Early-Stage Technology Investments

Rapper Nas has been involved in technology investing for years.

Through QueensBridge Venture Partners, he has invested in numerous technology startups. His investment portfolio has included companies such as Robinhood and other technology businesses. (CB Insights)

Nas became interested in the startup world relatively early, at a time when celebrity participation in venture capital was less common.

His strategy has demonstrated that entertainment professionals can develop a serious understanding of technology investing.

8. Ashton Kutcher’s Early Bets on Major Startups

One of the most interesting aspects of celebrity investing is the potential return from investing early.

Kutcher’s investment history provides several examples. His earlier venture firm backed companies including Airbnb, Uber, and Spotify before those businesses became global names. (CB Insights)

Early-stage investing is extremely risky because many startups fail. However, successful investments can potentially generate very large returns when a company grows dramatically.

This is one reason wealthy celebrities have increasingly entered the venture capital industry.

9. Rihanna — Consumer Brands

Rihanna has focused much of her business activity on consumer brands rather than traditional technology startups.

Fenty Beauty became the most important part of her business empire, while Savage X Fenty expanded her presence in fashion and apparel.

Her strategy demonstrates another way celebrities can invest in new businesses: rather than simply investing in somebody else’s company, they can use their own brand to help create and grow a business.

This approach can give celebrities more control over the product, marketing, and customer experience.

10. Kim Kardashian — Technology and Consumer Businesses

Kim Kardashian has built businesses across technology, entertainment, beauty, fashion, and consumer products.

Her business ventures have included mobile gaming, beauty products, shapewear, and other digital and consumer businesses.

SKIMS has become her most valuable business asset. The company expanded from an online brand into a major consumer company with physical retail and international ambitions.

Her career demonstrates how celebrities can use a large digital audience as a foundation for launching and scaling new businesses.

Why Startups Want Celebrity Investors

Celebrity investors can provide several advantages.

Publicity

A celebrity investor can generate media coverage without the startup spending heavily on advertising.

Customer Access

Celebrities with millions of followers can introduce products directly to potential customers.

Business Connections

A famous investor may have relationships with executives, entrepreneurs, athletes, entertainers, and other investors.

Brand Building

A celebrity’s reputation can help a young company establish credibility.

Capital

Celebrities can provide funding during the early stages of a company’s development.

However, celebrity involvement does not guarantee success. A startup still needs a strong product, capable management, sustainable finances, and a viable market.

Why Celebrities Invest in Startups

For celebrities, startup investing offers the possibility of building wealth beyond entertainment.

Movie careers can slow down. Athletes eventually retire. Music trends change.

Businesses, however, can continue growing without requiring the celebrity to remain at the center of the operation.

Successful investments can potentially generate returns through acquisitions, public listings, or increases in company valuation.

The Rise of Celebrity Venture Capital

Celebrity venture capital has become increasingly sophisticated.

Instead of making occasional investments, some celebrities now operate dedicated investment firms with professional teams.

Ashton Kutcher’s Sound Ventures is a prominent example. The firm has invested across areas including artificial intelligence, fintech, and consumer technology. (The Wall Street Journal)

Serena Ventures represents another model, focusing on early-stage companies and building a diversified portfolio.

This shift shows that celebrity investing is becoming more like professional venture capital rather than simple celebrity endorsement.

The Risks of Celebrity Investing

Startup investing can produce large returns, but it also involves substantial risk.

Many startups never become profitable. Some fail completely, while others take years to generate a return.

Private-company investments are also difficult to value because there is no public stock market price.

Celebrities therefore need professional investment teams and careful due diligence when committing significant amounts of capital.

Fame Is Becoming an Investment Advantage

The modern celebrity economy is increasingly based on ownership.

Instead of earning only from salaries and endorsement contracts, celebrities can own shares in companies, launch brands, invest in startups, and create businesses of their own.

Their fame can provide a powerful advantage during the early stages of a company because attention is one of the most expensive resources for a new business to acquire.

Final Thoughts

Celebrity investment has evolved into a serious part of the modern business world.

Ashton Kutcher has built a career around technology investing. Jay-Z has created a diversified portfolio of startups and consumer businesses. Serena Williams has developed Serena Ventures. Nas has invested in technology companies, while Rihanna and Kim Kardashian have turned their personal brands into valuable consumer businesses. (Sound Ventures)

The biggest lesson is that fame can provide the starting advantage, but successful investing requires research, patience, and ownership.

For today’s celebrities, the path to long-term wealth increasingly extends beyond entertainment. Technology startups, consumer brands, private companies, and emerging businesses are becoming important parts of the modern celebrity financial portfolio.