Kobe Bryant's next bank shot: a $100 million tech venture fund
The retired basketball star is teaming up with entrepreneur Jeff Stibel to invest in technology, media and data companies, through their creatively named fund, Bryant Stibel.
Kobe Bryant retired from professional basketball this year, but he's still ready to drop a dime.
Bryant will unveil a $100 million venture capital fund Monday, according to the Wall Street Journal. With partner Jeff Stibel, a longtime entrepreneur and investor who previously ran Web.com, the Los Angeles-based fund will invest in tech, media and data companies.
The fund builds on the 15 companies that the pair already hold stakes in, including the digital sports publication The Players Tribune, which was started by former New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter. They've also invested in a video game maker (Scopely), online legal help (LegalZoom) and home juicing (Juicero).
Bryant and Stibel have been investing together since 2013, but they decided to make their efforts formal with the fund following Bryant's retirement from the NBA's Los Angeles Lakers in April.