Serena Williams wishes she had a mentor when she started her VC career. Here are her 3 tips for founders.

Serena Williams, the tennis legend turned venture capitalist, recently shared that she regrets not having a mentor early in her VC journey.

Despite her successes, she believes guidance could have eased her path. Now, as entrepreneur-in-residence at Reckitt Catalyst, she’s paying it forward.

Her first tip for founders: Build genuine relationships with investors. In VC, access often trumps ideas alone, she explains. Networking isn’t just schmoozing—it’s about creating lasting bonds that open doors.

Second, embrace relentless determination and grind daily. Drawing from her 23 Grand Slams, Williams urges showing up “28 hours in a day.” Resilience turns obstacles into opportunities, especially for underrepresented entrepreneurs.

Finally, seek continuous feedback to grow. Williams actively asks what she’s doing wrong to improve. This humility fuels innovation and helps founders refine their ventures for real impact.