Serena Williams on Power & Purpose: Sport, Success & Social Impact

Key Concepts

• Entrepreneurship
• Venture Capital (VC)
• Investing in Women and People of Color
• Reckitt Catalyst's Entrepreneur-in-Residence program
• Serena Ventures
• Discipline and Determination in Business
• Digital Revolution
• Importance of Humility
• Defining Success
• Nature vs. Nurture

Serena's Transition from Tennis to Business

• Serena Williams is at the 2025 Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity to discuss her role as Entrepreneur-in-Residence at Reckitt's "Catalyst" start-up accelerator program.
• She emphasizes that her business endeavors, including investing, have been ongoing for over a decade.
• She enjoys empowering others and helping them succeed.

Reckitt Catalyst's Entrepreneur-in-Residence Role

• Serena is excited about her role with Reckitt, which has been in development for almost two years.
• Reckitt is committed to supporting women entrepreneurs and innovators.
• The focus is on building up others and investing in their ideas.

Serena Ventures and Investment Philosophy

• Serena's interest in investing stemmed from curiosity about the digital revolution and how technology is changing lives.
• She wanted to be part of this movement by investing in companies that are transforming transportation, healthcare, and other sectors.
• She emphasizes the importance of discipline and determination, qualities she developed in tennis, for success in business.

Lessons from Tennis

• Discipline: The daily grind of tennis training translates directly to the need for consistent effort in business.
• Determination: Overcoming challenges and setbacks in tennis builds resilience needed to navigate the ups and downs of entrepreneurship.

Reflection on Tennis Career

• Serena finds it difficult to look back on her tennis career due to nostalgia and missing the sport.
• She recalls winning the 1999 US Open at age 17 as a significant moment, fulfilling a childhood dream.
• She also remembers winning the Australian Open while nine weeks pregnant as an "out-of-body experience."

Impact of Motherhood

• Motherhood has intensified Serena's passion and drive, which she now channels into raising her daughters and her business ventures.
• She strives to be the best at everything she does, setting an example for her children.

Key Factors of Success

• Intensity and drive are crucial for success, both in sports and business.
• Serena believes that while some qualities are innate, many can be nurtured.
• She aims to help entrepreneurs define their own success and achieve it.

Values Instilled by Parents

• Humility is the most important value her parents taught her, keeping her grounded and respectful.
• She believes that everyone is essentially the same, regardless of their achievements.

Impact on and of the Sport

• Serena avoids claiming she made the sport better, acknowledging its greatness before and after her.
• She cherishes her fleeting moment in tennis history.

Message to Girls and Women

• Be yourself, love what you do, and be kind to others.

Future of Serena Ventures

• Serena wants her VC company to be great, investing in diverse founders and helping them succeed.
• She aims to stand out and own her identity and the success of her portfolio companies.

Investment Disparity

• Serena was shocked to learn that less than 2% of investment goes to women, and even less to women and people of color.
• She uses her platform to encourage greater diversity in venture capital.

Excitement for Reckitt Partnership

• Serena is excited about Reckitt's commitment to investing in women-led healthcare and hygiene businesses.
• These businesses address community needs in areas like Pakistan, Nigeria, and Kenya.
• She is eager to work closely with these founders and innovators.

Conclusion

Serena Williams is leveraging her discipline, determination, and passion from her tennis career to make a significant impact in the business world. Through Serena Ventures and her role with Reckitt, she is focused on investing in diverse founders, particularly women, and helping them achieve their definition of success. She emphasizes the importance of humility, kindness, and staying true to oneself.