Rashaun Williams Joins ‘Shark Tank’ as Guest Investor

Rashaun Williams, an accomplished venture capitalist based in Atlanta, has been selected to join the cast of “Shark Tank” as a guest judge. Known for his investments in over 170 companies, Williams has gained significant recognition in the business community. His investment success reached the ears of Arthur Blank, the owner of the Atlanta Falcons, prompting Blank to invite him alongside other prominent African Americans, such as former Walgreens CEO Rosalind Brewer, Olympian Dominique Dawes, and filmmaker Will Packer, for discussions on philanthropy.

In a Zoom interview with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Williams expressed his enthusiasm about drawing Blank’s interest. “I was fired up,” he said. “There is no one who has done more for philanthropy than Arthur Blank.” The attention from such high-level individuals also led to Williams’ consideration by “Shark Tank” producers, who sought him out as one of the guest sharks for the show. Other Atlantans who have appeared as guest sharks include Jeff Foxworthy and Spanx founder Sara Blakely.

Williams’ episodes on “Shark Tank” include an airing scheduled for Friday, October 18, with availability on Hulu commencing the following day. He will be featured alongside seasoned investors such as Barbara Corcoran, Lori Greiner, Kevin O’Leary, and Mark Cuban. Williams commented, “They were looking to bring some new blood, someone with a different perspective. I’m not a founder or operator. I’m a finance guy, a VC guy.” He expressed his intent to educate viewers on financial literacy, a subject he has promoted through his nonprofit since 2001.

Williams, originally from Chicago, ambitiously secured a place at Morehouse College in Atlanta by personally delivering his application after a long drive. Once accepted, he garnered enough funds from applying to 100 scholarships to afford his education. His career took off at Goldman Sachs in Chicago before he eventually started his first venture capital fund, valued at $10 million, primarily funded by his own money. His investment in Coinbase provided a significant return, turning a $50,000 stake into $20 million after the company went public.

Williams’ other successful investments include home security company Ring, acquired by Amazon for $1 billion in 2018, as well as Dropbox and Robinhood Markets, both of which have gone public. His influence extends into advising notable clients such as rapper 2Chainz and former NFL players Roddy White and Julio Jones. Williams emphasized the importance of ownership among athletes and entertainers, noting, “These guys are focused.”