Courtney Reum
Courtney Reum | |
|---|---|
| Born | July 8, 1978 Wayne, Illinois, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Entrepreneur, product innovator, former investment banker |
| Known for | Co-founder of VeeV, co-founder of M13, owner of Leeds United |
Courtney James Reum (born July 8, 1978) is a U.S.-based entrepreneur, product innovator, and former investment banker.
Early life
Raised in Wayne, Illinois, a suburb near Chicago, Reum is the son of Sherry and Robert Reum, the latter having served as CEO of Amsted Industries. He earned his degree with honors in economics and philosophy from Columbia University, where he also played on the men's varsity soccer team. Additionally, he holds an MBA from Harvard Business School. His brother, Carter Reum, is married to Paris Hilton, while his sister Halle has marital ties to the Annenberg family.
Career
Reum started his professional journey at Goldman Sachs as an investment banker, collaborating with major brands such as Under Armour, Vitaminwater, and Procter & Gamble. Inspired by his involvement in the merger between Allied Domecq and Pernod Ricard, he co-founded VeeV alongside his brother Carter. This premium alcohol brand expanded nationally, securing presence in bars, restaurants, retail chains, and stores. VeeV launched VitaFrute, recognized as the first certified organic ready-to-drink cocktail range. The brothers sold the company in 2016.
Acknowledged by Inc magazine as one of the "500 Fastest Growing Private Companies" and listed among Beverage Information's Rising Stars, Reum co-established M13 in 2016. This firm focuses on investing in and developing consumer product startups that resonate with Millennial preferences for health and sustainability. M13 set out to deploy $100 million across various emerging companies.
Reum’s accolades include Forbes' "30 Under 30," featuring on Inc's fastest-growing companies list, participation in Richard Branson's Screw Business as Usual, and recognition by Goldman Sachs' Builders + Innovators 100 Most Intriguing Entrepreneurs. He contributes editorially to Inc Magazine and has appeared on television programs such as Hatched broadcast on FOX and CBS networks. Since 2015, he has held board membership at the Los Angeles Opera and serves as commissioner for the Los Angeles Convention Center & Tourism Authority.
Soccer
Having played soccer during his youth and at the collegiate level for the Columbia Lions, Reum later became involved with 49ers Enterprises, which holds a minority stake in Leeds United starting in 2018. He acquired full ownership of the club in 2023.
In January 2024, despite lacking prior professional playing experience, Reum signed with Liga Portugal SABSEG team Länk Vilaverdense, which was positioned in the relegation zone at that time. On May 5, he made his debut entering as a late substitute; however, following a 1–0 defeat against Torreense, the club was relegated.