Official Press Release

Venture Capital Fund BROAD STREET VENTURES Announces Its Investment Team

From NFL players to industry execs, Broad Street Ventures launches its fund with a focus on late stage & growth stage tech and consumer products

October 7, 2020 –Two-time Super Bowl Champion and three-time Pro Bowl Safety Malcolm Jenkins of the New Orleans Saints announced today the launch of Broad Street Ventures, a venture capital fund that he has co-founded alongside General Partner and Co-Founder Ralonda Johnson. The fund is represented by additional NFL players and industry leaders. 

“Broad Street Ventures is a vehicle to allow black and brown investors to have an introduction to Venture Capital and access to some of the best tech deals. Less than 1% of American venture capital backed founders are Black. There are even less Black people in decision making roles in the VC industry. As we grow, we hope to bring awareness to the VC world which is often exclusively reserved for those that do not look like us,” said Jenkins.

Joining Broad Street Ventures in the fund as investors are Devin and Jason McCourty (New England Patriots), Jordan Matthews (NFL free agent), Rodney McLeod (Philadelphia Eagles), Sharrie Williams (television broadcaster), Ralonda Johnson (Malcolm, Inc) and Malcolm Jenkins (New Orleans Saints) among others who chose not to be disclosed.

The fund is being professionally managed by Mrs. Johnson and Jenkins along with a team of advisors.  Broad Street Ventures is co-investing alongside top VC firms with a focus in growth stage and late stage tech and consumer products.  The fund has already invested in companies like Airbnb, Epic Games, Turo, NoBull, Automattic and ZenWtr. 

“Traditionally, professional athletes have been given unique and exclusive access to the fastest growing companies in the country. They have historically been marketers and brand ambassadors. This new generation of athletes also want to be owners. They are using group economics to source, vet and invest in emerging companies,” said Rashaun Williams, the Founder of Manhattan Venture Partners and Advisor to Broad Street Ventures. 

Jenkins and Johnson built the portfolio over the past several years. “Broad Street Ventures was created for our investors to work together to diversify their portfolios into more alternative investments in a way that’s managed, deliberate and professionally curated. We are not in competition with other funds and we aren’t raising funds from any external pension funds and endowments.  Malcolm had a vision to create a fund for himself and his colleagues to step outside of traditional wealth management into asset classes that are driving returns and leading the globe in innovation,” said Johnson. 

SHARRIE WILLIAMS, TELEVISION BROADCASTER

“Traditionally and continuously women, especially women of color, have not been considered and certainly not included in conversations focused on accessing and building wealth. Despite the known inequalities and challenges, I have been intentional about establishing and maintaining a strong financial foundation. I welcome the opportunity to invest alongside Broad Street Ventures in this new arena to expand my financial portfolio,” said Williams.

DEVIN MCCOURTY, 3x SUPER BOWL CHAMPION & 2x PRO-BOWL SAFETY FOR THE NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS 

“As athletes we train and learn how to be great on the field. I’m proud to be a part of Broad Street Ventures; the beginning of a great team,” said McCourty. 

JASON MCCOURTY, SUPER BOWL CHAMPION, CORNERBACK FOR THE NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

“I’m excited for this partnership and what we can build as athletes in a different field. Broad Street Ventures allows us as black athletes to become decision makers and continue to break barriers down,” said McCourty. 

JORDAN MATTHEWS, NFL FREE AGENT WIDE RECEIVER

“Being a member of this venture capital fund provides new and exciting long-term opportunities to invest in rising star tech companies,” said Matthews.  

RODNEY MCLEOD, SUPER BOWL CHAMPION & SAFETY FOR THE PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

“I’m excited to be a part of Broad Street Ventures because it is a fund for athletes by athletes. I elected to invest to diversify my portfolio in the tech space,” said McLeod.

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