January 9, 2024
JT Trauber
"There’s definitely been people who doubt that former athletes without a track record in Venture Capital could start their own fund and succeed, but I’m lucky enough to have a business partner who is also fueled by the naysayers. "
- JT Trauber, Managing Partner, Jones Trauber Capital
People look at me in disbelief when I tell them I played Division 1 college basketball. “You must’ve been one hell of a shooter,” they say as if that’s the only thing I could have brought to the table.
Don’t get me wrong, they were right in assuming I could shoot lights out, but they were wrong to underestimate me in other areas. Because what I didn’t have in height, I made up for in heart.
I didn’t play that much for my Rice University Owls, but I can promise you I earned my spot on that team. I earned it every day in practice by busting my ass, running the scout team and competing every day to make sure our guys were always prepared.
At 5’8” and 150lbs, I earned the respect of my teammates and coaches through my work ethic and leadership, and was named Team Captain my senior year.
Today I use that same chip on my shoulder, in business.
Jeremy Jones originally came to Rice on a football scholarship, but somehow ended up as a key role player on the 2017 Gonzaga Final Four BASKETBALL team.
If that doesn’t demonstrate drive and determination, I don’t know what does. When somebody like that comes to me (post-MBA and Venture Capital internship), with a strategy to start our own fund, how could I not give it serious consideration?
We set out to bridge the gap between professional athletes and top investment opportunities in the private market starting with our VC fund. Although we are still early and building, we’ve already co-invested alongside multiple top VC firms and we’re only just getting started.
Belief in self is important, but we wouldn’t be where we are without a tremendous amount of help and mentorship. We always hear the phrase, “it’s not about what you know but who you know,” which highlights the importance of networking.
Don’t get me wrong, networking is extremely important, but I will always stand by the importance of creating genuine relationships as opposed to transactional ones. Those relationships have aided us along our journey, and I implore others, both in their personal and professional lives, to dedicate time to building genuine relationships.
Believe me, because I know better than anybody that the people in your life can turn even the biggest underdogs into a winner.
