Hollywood stars who are also investors in start-ups
Film actors make a lot of money, and while some splurge in unnecessary expensive things, there are some wise ones who choose to invest. This way they somewhat ensure that their futures are secure, even if they do not do films for a long time. With the boom of start-ups, many have turned their attention towards these, and have put in their millions.
Before we start the list, do note that we have focused on top stars in Hollywood, like Will Smith, Madonna, RDJ, etc. We have already compiled a list of renowned Bollywood actors who have invested in start-ups. You can read that article here: https://bit.ly/30JdofS.
Leonardo DiCaprio, known to always raise a voice against environmental exploitation, have invested in a lot of start-ups, like Kingo, Diamond Foundry, Casper, Allbirds, all of which work towards saving and sustaining the environment. Last year, the Titanic star had invested in hit plant-based milk brand Califia Farms. He is also a tech investor, having put his money in MindMaze, and Mobli.
Our very own Iron Man, Robert Downey Jr., steers all his attention towards investments, when he is not busy saving the planet. He has a venture capital fund called Downey Ventures, which invests in digital media start-ups and incubates consumer entertainment technology companies. It's a part of Team Downey, an entertainment company founded by RDJ and wife Susan that produces film and television properties.
Apart from the California-based company, RDJ, along with Jay-Z also has invested in MasterClass. It's a service that offers interactive and video courses taught by big names. Till now, they have produced classes by Christina Aguilera, Dustin Hoffman, Kevin Spacey, Serena Williams, Usher and others.
Apart from investing in films, Will Smith is also keen on start-ups. Last year, he invested in teen financial literacy app, developed by start-up company Step. The 50-year-old also backs BioBeats, a start-up that aims to treat stress-related ailments, and Julep, a cosmetics-beauty brand and e-commerce platform. Smith also has invested in Chromatik that builds products for musicians to learn, play, and share music.
Baby boy singer Beyoncé has a net worth of $440mn. And this siren-voiced performer knows how to best use her money. Apart from several business ventures, through her management company Parkwood Entertainment, the 37-year-old has also invested in Sidestep, an app that lets fans browse and buy concert merchandise before, during, and after the show for pickup at show or delivery at home.
When one talks of tech investors in Hollywood, Two and a Half Men actor Ashton Kutcher's name always springs up. He founded A-Grade Investments, a venture capital fund, in 2010, and through it he has made investments in several technology start-up companies. Also a co-founder of Sound Ventures, Kutcher has made over 70 investments in high-profile start-ups, including Uber, Airbnb, Spotify, SoundCloud and Shazam.
Noted singer Madonna has a fetish for coconut water, which she credits for her flawless skin. And this has translated into an investment from her side. She has put in a stunning $1.5mn in Vita Coco, a supplier of fresh coconut water, becoming its biggest investor. The crooner also owns a portion of Swedish music streaming service Tidal, which in itself is worth $600mn.
