When you picture a stereotypical investor, some older, suit-wearing man in a Manhattan highrise might be who first comes to mind.
Don’t get us wrong: suit-wearing rich guys definitely exist, but the investors pouring millions into the world’s most buzzworthy startups come in all shapes and sizes – they could even be your favorite athlete or singer.
More and more celebrities are reaching beyond the entertainment and sports industries to make angel investments in startups they hope will blossom into billion-dollar companies.
We're talking big money: According to CB Insights, famous folks participated in more than 350 funding rounds –– worth approximately $4.6 billion –– since 2007. In 2015 alone, the world’s 75 biggest celebrity investors poured roughly $2 billion into 100 investment deals.
Using data collected from 2007 through last year (2016), CB Insights compiled a list of notable celebrity investors –– AKA the rich and famous people throwing the most money at startups. About half of the stars on the list work in the music industry, while the rest work in sports, movies, or fashion.
If you’re curious where your favorite stars are putting their money, here’s a list of some of the world’s most active investor celebs: