This fireside chat is part of FreightWaves’ Global Supply Chain Week. Day 7 focuses on global maritime logistics.
FIRESIDE CHAT TOPIC: The Evolution of Professional Athletes as Investors
DETAILS: Kelvin Beachum is an offensive tackle, most recently for the Arizona Cardinals but with stops also as a New York Jet and a Pittsburgh Steeler. He also has taken a deep interest in venture capital investment in technology startups, working with a Silicon Valley firm in the offseason and investing a portion of his portfolio in startups, including FreightWaves.
SPEAKER and INTERVIEWER: In addition to his commitments with the NFL, Beachum is known for his dedication to ending hunger by working directly with advocacy groups like World Vision and supporting community food banks across America. He also sits on the Entertainment Council for Feeding America. Beachum is an Executive Board member for the Simmons School of Education and the Lyle School of Engineering at Southern Methodist University. He is an alternate union rep for the NFL Players Association and a member of the NFLPA Brand Ambassador Program as well as a Players Inc. Advisory Committee member. Beachum is interviewed by Craig Fuller, founder and CEO of FreightWaves, as part of the Fuller Speed Ahead series of interviews.
KEY QUOTES FROM BEACHUM:
“You think about founders, you think about markets, you think about what investors are striving for. They are striving for differentiation. They’re striving for the edge, they are striving for competitive advantage.”
“Athletes like to do media, sports tech, hair and beauty. Those are fine but I wanted to be different. I have a few of those companies in my portfolio. But I found it was better to be contrarian and find industries where we’re not in and where we can have a different perspective we can bring to the table.”
“What gets me excited first and foremost is the relationship with the founder. That is the number one thing I am most concerned about and aware of.”
“People are realizing there are some amazing founders of color that are doing really well.”
Brokerage Compliance Symposium
The day before F3. Every compliance issue you face - fraud exposure, carrier liability, FMCSA rules, cargo theft, insurance gaps - navigated by attorneys and operators defining best practices in a changing industry.
F3 Awards Dinner
The night before F3. FreightTech100 companies honored. FreightTech 25 and Shipper of Choice winners revealed live. Cocktail reception into dinner and live music - 300 industry leaders in one purpose-built room.
F3: Future of Freight Festival
Industry-defining keynotes, rapid-fire technology demos, and industry leaders networking in experiences across Chattanooga - plus the inaugural F3 Awards Dinner featuring the FreightTech and Shipper of Choice reveals.
The day before F3. Every compliance issue you face - fraud exposure, carrier liability, FMCSA rules, cargo theft, insurance gaps - navigated by attorneys and operators defining best practices in a changing industry.
The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register NowThe night before F3. FreightTech100 companies honored. FreightTech 25 and Shipper of Choice winners revealed live. Cocktail reception into dinner and live music - 300 industry leaders in one purpose-built room.
The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register NowIndustry-defining keynotes, rapid-fire technology demos, and industry leaders networking in experiences across Chattanooga - plus the inaugural F3 Awards Dinner featuring the FreightTech and Shipper of Choice reveals.
The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register Now