Kobe Bryant Launches New $100 Million Investment Fund

Kobe Bryant has taken his talents to the New York Stock Exchange. The Bearded Mamba rang the opening bell at the NYSE this morning and announced his new $100 investment fund focused on tech, media and data companies.

Kobe teamed up with investor, Jeff Stibel to launch venture capitalist firm "Bryant Stibel" which will be based in Los Angeles. The two have reportedly done plenty of business together before, having made deals with 15 separate companies since 2013, so the goal is that this official partnership will be like the Shaq & Kobe of venture capitalists. 

A few years ago Carmelo Anthony also launched his own fund with Stuart Goldfarb called Melo7 Tech Partners, perhaps this is the new wave for the NBA's elite superstars. 

“It’s the inner belief that a person has that he will endure no matter what the obstacle may be. It’s that persistence, the entrepreneur doing what he or she truly believes in and truly loves to do,” Kobe said.

“We don’t want to be in the business of investing in companies so someone can use Kobe as an endorser. That’s not interesting. The point is to add real value,” Stibel — whose past ventures include Web.com and four exits — said.

[Via]