Owl Ventures, the world’s largest venture capital firm focused on education and workforce innovation, has announced that NBA legend, entrepreneur, and investor Chris Paul has joined the firm as Venture Partner. Paul served eight years as president of the National Basketball Players Association, representing players through major business, labor, and organizational issues during a transformative period for the league.
Off the court, Paul has built and invested in businesses across sports, media, and consumer products. His education work includes establishing the Business of Entertainment, Media and Sports course at several HBCUs with Harvard Business School professor Anita Elberse, and creating Club 61, a youth leadership program focused on financial literacy, education and technology, civic responsibility, and leadership development. For more than two decades, Paul and his family have created opportunities for young people through the Chris Paul Family Foundation.
Owl Ventures manages more than $2.2 billion in committed capital and has made over 100 investments, partnering with companies helping people learn, prepare for work, advance in their careers, and build skills throughout life. Owl’s portfolio companies collectively serve more than 700 million users worldwide.
KEY QUOTES:
“Education is where real change starts. That can happen in a classroom, through a trade, with a mentor, or through the lessons you learn from family and community. My upbringing was rooted in placing value on work ethic, ownership, and opportunity and how access to those things can change a person’s life. Owl shares that same belief in helping build companies that can have real impact and give more people access to the tools and opportunities they need to move forward.”
Chris Paul, Venture Partner, Owl Ventures
“Chris Paul has spent his career doing what great point guards do: seeing the floor, recognizing potential, and helping others succeed. That instinct has always extended beyond basketball. As a leader, entrepreneur, and community builder, Chris has used his platform to expand opportunity and help people move forward. We are thrilled to welcome him to Owl as Venture Partner as we continue backing companies that help people learn, build skills, and reach their potential.”
Ian Chiu, Managing Partner, Owl Ventures
“From the beginning, Owl Ventures has been built around a simple belief: learning is one of the most powerful drivers of human potential and economic progress. Our approach has always been to bring more than capital to the founders building transformative companies in education and workforce innovation. Chris adds a powerful new dimension to that work.”
Tom Costin, Co-Founder and Managing Partner, Owl Ventures
