In 1996, Kobe Bryant joined the NBA and went on to become a 5-time World Champion, an Olympic gold medalist, and countless other accolades. But off the court, Bryant was making an impact in the startup ecosystem. In 2013, alongside Web.com founder Jeff Stibel, he launched Bryant Stibel, an investment firm focused on growth and venture opportunities. In 2016, the duo officially launched its debut $100M fund.
Most professional venture investors will tell you that it takes a few years of full time investing to get the hang of things and Kobe was just getting started. In terms of legacy, Kobe made it no secret that his desire was to be remembered for investing and making a difference rather than being a basketball player.
In that spirit, we take a look at some of Kobe’s investments: