The former NBA star Metta World Peace, known for his fierce defense and dynamic presence on the court, is currently making headlines for his bold new venture. World Peace has recently partnered with former Boost Mobile CEO Stephen Stokols and co-founded Tru Skye Ventures, a $100 million venture fund that aims to revolutionize sports tech, digital media platforms, and innovation in the health and wellness industry.

A Milestone for Metta World Peace

World Peace, who changed his name from Ron Artest in 2011, is now focusing on supporting early-stage companies. With this venture, he is also fulfilling a personal passion for destigmatizing mental health. Reflecting on his journey in the world of sports, World Peace shared, “It’s a full-circle story.” He believes “health and wellness are always going to win.”

The timing of Tru Skye’s debut coincides with the 20th anniversary of the “Malice at the Palace,” a notorious NBA brawl that forever etched World Peace’s name in basketball history. Instead of making headlines for his physicality, he is now in the spotlight for his strategic investments and focus on creating generational wealth through venture capital.

Success with Barcode

Tru Skye Ventures has already started making an impact with its first investment in Barcode, a performance beverage brand. Mubarak “Bar” Malik, a former performance director for the New York Knicks and Los Angeles Lakers is the founder of this beverage brand. While the specific financial details remain undisclosed, the investment reflects the fund’s focus on health-forward developments.

From Hardwood to Harvard-Level Strategy

The post-NBA journey of World Peace has been marked by a dedication to mastering private equity and finance. After his retirement in 2017, World Peace pursued a master’s degree and studied digital analytics at UCLA to expand his knowledge of the business world. He explained, “I told people that I didn’t want my face to add value.” “I wanted that to be my word and my (mind). That took a long time. There’s just so much that goes into that, especially how people perceive you. You’ll go into a meeting (before) and they’re just waiting to talk basketball,” he added.

This disciplined approach paved the way for Tru Skye Ventures, allowing World Peace and Stokols to transition from angel investors to institutional leaders who are capable of spearheading funding rounds. Stokols noted, “We can write bigger checks and follow along with these companies and add more formal value.”

A Star-Studded Network

Tru Skye Ventures is not just about financial backing but also about mentorship and expertise. The fund aims to provide robust support to startups in product development, brand partnerships, and growth marketing. Backed by a diverse network of former athletes, entertainers, politicians, and family offices, the fund has the potential to redefine venture capital in its targeted sectors.

Stokols emphasized the value of World Peace’s connections: “Metta has a ridiculous network.” He added, “Not just in the athlete community.” Together with former SEAL officer and early-stage investor Tarey Gettys, the duo is set to explore more opportunities for their portfolio companies.

Setting an Example for Others in Sports

For Metta World Peace, Tru Skye Ventures is more than just a business endeavor to empower promising start-ups with the resources they need to grow. This venture is a platform to inspire other professional athletes to think beyond their careers in sports. “We’re taking it from angel investing and individual investing like we’ve done historically into more institutional,” Stokols said, highlighting the fund’s future roadmap.

By turning his focus from defense on the court to supporting brilliant start-ups through venture capital, World Peace is showing the world how retired athletes can continue creating value long after their final buzzer.