Shares, UK’s social and community-based investing app, has roped in international tennis champions — Venus and Serena Williams as the first ambassadors of the company as they become shareholders in the company.
Venus Williams adds, “Shares is a creative and playful solution that solves a real problem, which is why we wanted to get involved with Benjamin and the team. While we both have a broad range of interests when it comes to companies we support, there is a common the thread throughout falls on the intersection where passion meets purpose.”
The announcement comes a couple of months after raising $40M in Series B funding led by Peter Thiel Fund and Valar Ventures. Also, the appointment follows recent news of Serena’s retirement from professional tennis after winning a record 23 Grand Slam singles titles.
The tennis star also revealed that she had recently become an active investor in early-stage startups.
Serena Williams says, “The first time I heard about Shares, I was blown away by the vision. It is rare to find companies equally as passionate about opening up opportunities and breaking barriers to entry that have prevented traditional spaces like investment from
being inclusive. Gen Z has a curious way of looking at the world and, through social media amplification, has been much more open about educating themselves and sharing that information. I believe everyone, especially women, should have the tools.
Social and community-based investing
Founded by Benjamin Chemla, François Ruty, and Harjas Singh, Shares is on a mission to level the investing playing field and make financial freedom accessible for everyone.
The platform is a one-stop platform for investors to make trades, better manage their portfolios, and discuss opportunities with friends and family.
The app currently offers social trading, activity feeds and push notifications, group watchlists and activity signals, chats and social push notifications, analyst ratings, and price alerts.
Shares have garnered over 150,000 users and became the second most downloaded app in the ‘Finance’ category on the App Store and the sixth most downloaded app in the UK since its launch in May 2022.
Benjamin Chemla, Co-Founder and CEO of Shares, says, “I’m super pumped to welcome Venus and Serena into our Shares family. Our primary goal is to bring people together to make finance accessible while always offering the best product to our users. Venus and
Serena has such a unique and inspiring story and amazing values, so we had no hesitation in bringing them in as shareholders and brand ambassadors. We’re confident that Venus and Serena will add dynamic energy to Shares that will drive and inspire us to imagine and build the best offering within the industry.”
