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Rashaun Williams
Guest Shark on ABC’s Shark Tank, Atlanta Falcons Limited Partner, Venture Capitalist & Financial Literacy Advocate
Rashaun Williams
Guest Shark on ABC’s Shark Tank, Atlanta Falcons Limited Partner, Venture Capitalist & Financial Literacy Advocate
Biography
Rashaun Williams is a trailblazing investor, entrepreneur and financial literacy advocate who has carved out a unique role in the world of venture capital. Known as a guest Shark on ABC's Shark Tank, he is also a limited partner of the Atlanta Falcons and a seasoned venture capitalist with a remarkable record of over 170 investments—resulting in more than 50 successful exits. His family office, Value Investment Group, and his role as a general partner in the MVP All-Star Fund have made him a highly regarded figure among both emerging and established investors.
However, Rashaun’s journey was not always filled with achievements and opportunities. He was raised on the South Side of Chicago, surrounded by some of the toughest circumstances imaginable—poverty, crime, and instability were constant hurdles in his path. He can still picture stepping off the school bus only to find his family’s belongings on the curb after an eviction notice or coming home to an apartment without heat or lights. Yet rather than letting these challenges define him, they sharpened his focus and ignited a determination to rise above. They pushed him to ask crucial questions about money and why some families struggled while others thrived—and sparked his resolve to find solutions that could uplift not only his loved ones but also his entire community. It was this unyielding drive that led him to Morehouse College, where he graduated at the top of his class, and propelled him into a successful career in finance. Through it all, Rashaun transformed hardship into motivation, emerging from his roots as a beacon of hope and possibilities.
As a co-founder of Queensbridge Venture Partners, Rashaun was an early backer of transformative companies like Robinhood, Coinbase, Casper, Ring, PillPack, Lyft and, Dropbox. In 2018, he was honored as Black Enterprise's Investor of the Year, recognizing his impact on the venture capital industry.
With a career spanning over 20 years, Rashaun’s expertise in driving capital into diverse and alternative markets is exceptional. He has cultivated a unique perspective on finance and investing through his work at Wall Street institutions, including Goldman Sachs, Wachovia Securities, and Deutsche Bank. In 2007, he launched Dixsville Partners, a private equity fund dedicated to infrastructure and mineral investments across West Africa, underscoring his commitment to global economic development and high-impact projects.
Rashaun is equally passionate about community empowerment and financial literacy. In 2001, he founded the Kemet Institute, a nonprofit organization committed to delivering free financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and life skills education to underserved communities and schools. His mission to bridge the knowledge gap continued with the founding of Antimatter Business Partners in 2023, designed to help professional athletes and entertainers establish and operate their private equity family offices.
An active leader and listener in his community, Rashaun currently serves on the Board of Directors for The Atlanta Opera. As a graduate of Morehouse College, he is also a dedicated member of Kappa Alpha Psi, Inc., embodying both academic excellence and community leadership.
Speaker Videos
Rashaun Williams is on the #SharkTank season premiere this Friday at 8/7c on ABC and stream on Hulu.
Rashaun Williams: Crypto fundamentals will 'outstripe' technicals as mainstream adoption occurs
Speech Topics
The Path to Empowerment & Success
Ready to be inspired? Then, join Rashaun Williams as he shares his journey from the challenging streets of Chicago, where extreme poverty ruled the day, to the world of high finance, venture capitalism and as an Atlanta Falcons limited partner. But this isn't just any rags-to-riches story. Rashaun has a huge heart and passion for community empowerment and financial literacy and has turned his success into helping others along the way. In this talk, he will inspire you to harness your own struggles and motivate you to take that next step toward your goals, as well as show you how you can use manifestation to achieve the impossible. Through his passionate words, you will discover that setbacks can become the foundation of future successes and that every challenge can spur personal growth for yourself and others.
You will learn how to:
- Overcome adversity using the five key concepts of life that helped Rashaun.
- Be financially smarter.
- Become self-empowered.
Mastering the Art of Peak Performance
Over the last three decades, Rashaun Williams has advised some of the top professional athletes in the U.S. and has learned what makes these incredible men and women the country's highest performers. In this transformative keynote, Rashaun will unpack the secrets he has learned to reach your highest potential, which are applicable to anyone who wants to become a top performer and succeed in whatever they do.
You will learn how to:
- Focus like a pro and block out all distractions—myopic focus.
- Be on the cutting edge by working out mentally and professionally.
- Stay competitive in every endeavor.
- Push what is inside you—breaking barriers and win.
Swimming With the Sharks: Navigating Entrepreneurial Waters
When it comes to business, Rashaun Williams knows his business. An entrepreneur at heart, he has successfully invested in more than 170 companies, as well as running his own firm-Value Investment Group. He is also well known as a guest Shark on ABC's Shark Tank, a limited partner of the Atlanta Falcons and a financial literacy advocate. In this talk, Rashaun breaks down what it takes to become a successful entrepreneur, break barriers, and the best ways to grow your business. He offers insights into how to identify opportunities in unexpected places, overcome obstacles with resilience and cultivate a mindset geared toward innovation.
You will learn:
- How Rashaun did it!
- How to scale and raise money for your business.
- How to turn earned income into passive income.
- The five steps to setting up your family office for wealth planning.
- How to become the general manager of your own finances.
- The power of partnerships.
Money Matters: Understanding Investments & Financial Management
From high-stake investors and financial advisors to CEOs and business owners to parents, college students, and kids, financial management is essential for success. And in this talk, no matter what stage or profession you are at in life, Rashaun Williams can give you tips and the advice you need to succeed.
Rashaun customizes his content for specific audiences, including:
- Corporations/Business Executives: Learn how to evaluate investment opportunities effectively and make informed financial decisions that align with your business goals.
- Financial Advisors: Discover how to attract top-tier clientele, optimize investments, and maximize profitability.
- Entrepreneurs/Business Owners: Get an insider's perspective on navigating the complexities of business finance to optimizing investments and maximizing profitability.
- College Students: Take ownership of your financial future and make informed choices that pave the way for economic success.
- K-12 Students: Learn how to create a simple budget to keep track of your allowance or money you earn. It is easier than you think!
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