NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Investing has always been on the mind of Jordan Matthews.
He made an investment in his education when he chose to attend Vanderbilt 11 years ago. As a professional athlete, he makes investments with his body every day by working out, eating the right foods and getting proper rest and recovery.
Now, Matthews is using the business world to invest.
He has become a partner in a new venture capital fund that was recently launched by Matthews’ former Philadelphia Eagles teammate Malcolm Jenkins.
Broad Street Ventures is a $10 million investment group focused on late-stage technology and consumer product companies. It has already made early investments in AirBnB, ZenWtr, Epic Games and more.
Other investors in the fund include NFL players Rodney McLeod, Devin McCourty, Jason McCourty and Philadelphia ABC-affiliate news anchor Sharrie Williams.
“We’ve seen athletes go from being brand ambassadors to actually taking ownership,” Matthews said. “Instead of just helping these companies sell more products and only receiving some free T-shirts in return, we want to use our influence and income to have our own seat at the table and be able to have a slice of the pie.”
Having ownership in different companies is not Matthews’ primary reason for joining in on the venture capital fund.
“It is important that we make money work for us so we can help uplift and expand opportunities for those in our own communities,” Matthews said.
Matthews made an investment in Vanderbilt in 2010, when he joined the program as a freshman wide receiver out of Madison, Alabama. Four seasons later he had caught 262 passes for 3,759 yards and 24 touchdowns.
The 6-foot-3, 215-pound playmaker has spent six seasons in the NFL with three teams and is currently a free agent.
Since he started his professional career, Matthews has always been about giving back to his community. He started Matthews Mission to, “give back to the communities that shaped him as an athlete, teammate, friend and citizen.”
While Matthews was playing in Philadelphia, Matthews Mission was able to start a mentorship program with high school seniors.
“We talked about everything from how to conduct interviews, dating, overcoming obstacles and handling success,” Matthews said. “Once the students finished the program, we gave each of them $1,000 scholarships that could be used on anything school related once they entered college.”
Another venture Matthews has invested in is commercial real estate in his hometown of Madison. He bought an old warehouse and turned it into renting space for companies in the city.
For Matthews, investing in business is just another way for him to break down barriers and change the world around him.
“I think real change takes investment,” Matthews said. “If you really want to see something fixed, you’re going to have to be there over a long period of time.”
— Scott Meyer is a fifth-year senior for the Vanderbilt football program.
