The $40 Million Man: 5 Surprising Ways Carter Reum Built His Fortune Beyond Paris Hilton
Carter Reum: Complete Biographical Profile
Carter Milliken Reum is an American entrepreneur, author, and venture capitalist whose business acumen has positioned him as a significant player in the modern startup landscape. He is the co-founder of the venture capital firm M13 Ventures and the co-creator of the spirits brand VEEV Spirits.
- Full Name: Carter Milliken Reum
- Date of Birth: February 5, 1981
- Age (as of late 2025): 44
- Place of Birth: Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
- Nationality: American
- Education: Columbia University (graduated 2003)
- Parents: Robert Reum (Father), Sherry Reum (Mother)
- Sibling: Courtney Reum (Brother and business partner)
- Spouse: Paris Hilton (Married November 11, 2021)
- Children: Phoenix Barron Hilton Reum (Son, born January 2023 via surrogate), Daughter (born late 2023 via surrogate)
- Primary Occupations: Venture Capitalist, Entrepreneur, Author
- Key Ventures: M13 Ventures (Co-founder), VEEV Spirits (Co-founder, since acquired)
- Book: Shortcut Your Startup: Speed Up Success with Unconventional Advice from the Trenches (Co-authored with Courtney Reum)
- Estimated Net Worth (2025): Estimated between $20 million and $40 million, stemming from strategic investments and business ventures.
The M13 Ventures Edge: Latest Investments and Strategy in 2025
The core of Carter Reum's contemporary business influence lies in M13 Ventures, the venture capital firm he co-founded with his brother, Courtney Reum. M13 operates as a brand-development and investment company, moving beyond traditional venture capital by offering operational support to its portfolio companies.
Originally focusing on Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) and B2B models, M13 has strategically evolved its focus to a broader enabling technology strategy, as highlighted in their recent "2025 Annual Letter: The State of Venture." This shift emphasizes investing in companies that use technology to solve complex problems across various industries, not just consumer-facing ones.
Recent High-Profile Investments (2024-2025)
Reum's personal investment profile, often through M13, shows a continuous pattern of identifying high-growth potential. His most recent disclosed investments provide a clear look at where he sees the future of the market:
- W Labs (July 2024): Reum's most recent investment was in W Labs, a company operating in the Personal Products industry, participating in their Series A Round. This signals a continued interest in the consumer and personal care space, though likely with a technology-enabled approach.
- Allocate (September 2025): He invested in Allocate's Series B funding round. Allocate is a key entity in the financial technology sector, demonstrating Reum’s commitment to the FinTech space.
- Blueprint (2025): Another significant investment in 2025 was in Blueprint, a company that secured a substantial $60 million in funding.
- The Cumulus Coffee Company (2023): This investment indicates a consistent focus on innovative consumer brands that can be scaled rapidly.
The M13 portfolio is expansive, boasting over 200 direct investments and 25 successful exits to date. This track record of strategic investment and profitable exits, including early stakes in companies like Lyft and Pinterest, is the true engine behind Reum's financial standing and topical authority in the venture world.
From Spirits to Strategy: The VEEV and Author Legacy
Before M13 Ventures, Carter Reum and his brother Courtney made their first major entrepreneurial splash with the creation of VEEV Spirits. Launched in 2007, VEEV was an innovative, eco-friendly acai spirit, positioning itself as a more sustainable alternative in the liquor market.
The brothers successfully grew the brand, earning recognition as one of the Inc 500 Fastest Growing Private Companies in America. Their ultimate success came when VEEV Spirits was acquired by Luxco in March, securing a significant exit that validated their brand-building model. While VEEV is now managed by Luxco, the brand remains active, with the "VEEV Acai Spirit" still available and its status being monitored in 2025.
The 'Shortcut Your Startup' Philosophy
Reum translated his hands-on experience in building and scaling VEEV, along with his investment insights, into the book Shortcut Your Startup: Speed Up Success with Unconventional Advice from the Trenches. Co-authored with his brother, the book serves as a guide for aspiring entrepreneurs, advocating for unconventional strategies to accelerate business success. The book further cements his role as a thought leader in the startup ecosystem, offering insights gleaned from his time at Goldman Sachs and his own entrepreneurial ventures.
Carter and Paris: A New Chapter in 2025
While his business life is focused on venture capital, Reum's personal life with wife Paris Hilton continues to draw significant media attention, particularly as they settle into life as parents of two. The couple, who married in a lavish ceremony in November 2021, welcomed their first child, son Phoenix Barron Hilton Reum, via surrogate in January 2023.
In late 2023, the family quietly grew again with the arrival of a daughter, completing their family unit. The year 2025 has seen the couple balance their high-profile careers with family life, often sharing heartwarming glimpses of their children on social media. Paris Hilton notably celebrated her husband on Father's Day 2025 with a heartfelt tribute, acknowledging his role as a dedicated father.
The couple has also maintained their presence on the social scene, attending high-profile events like the 2025 Vanity Fair Oscar party, demonstrating their continued influence in both the entertainment and business worlds.
Carter Reum's narrative in 2025 is one of established success and strategic evolution. He has successfully transitioned from a former investment banker and product co-founder to a powerful venture capitalist, all while navigating the complexities of a high-profile marriage and a growing family. His commitment to identifying and accelerating the next generation of consumer and technology companies ensures his influence will continue to grow for years to come.
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