To make it into the NFL as a professional football player is phenomenal. To have a successful eight-year NFL career is extraordinary. To succeed in graduate school and on the playing field simultaneously is astounding. But, that’s exactly what former professional athlete turned entrepreneur, Ryan Mundy did as a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers, New York Giants, and Chicago Bears. After hanging up his cleats a few years ago, Ryan is now fully committed to achieving his personal goals while helping other individuals do the same. One of his new "sports” is venture investing, focusing on early stage technology companies that are aiming to benefit from cultural shifts to enhance the way that we live, work and play, but he’s also knuckling down in non-tech related businesses with the launch of a new eco-friendly consumer product. Although his “team meetings” are now being held over coffee or lunch instead of in a locker room, it’s clear that his focus and enthusiasm are still the same. Ryan shared with me about how he’s now “grindin’” away from the gridiron.
DC – You’re only a few years removed from the NFL. Describe your transition from creating havoc on the football field to disrupting the technology industry.
RM – I was very aggressive in moving on from the NFL into business. While I was an active NFL athlete, I enrolled in an MBA program and completed that program almost simultaneously with my retirement. I initially started in tech but expanded into business and new ventures in general (tech and non-tech related). I’m an opportunist entrepreneur, I look for interesting and challenging business concepts that solve real problems and create value.
DC – You mentioned your new sport is venture investing. Explain that concept.
RM – My entire life has been connected to sports. So. it’s only natural that I take on the next phase of my life with that mentality. With that said “sport” means learning the rules of a game (in this case business), identifying my strong suits, and figuring out how to put myself in a position to win!
Ryan Mundy