The entrepreneurial landscape of modern America has been shaped by visionary leaders who understand both innovation and market dynamics. Among these influential figures stands Carter Reum, a venture capitalist and entrepreneur whose financial success story combines strategic thinking, calculated risk-taking, and an unwavering commitment to identifying transformative business opportunities. Carter Reum's net worth is estimated at approximately $20 million to $40 million as of 2025, a testament to his business acumen and successful ventures in the competitive worlds of spirits manufacturing and venture capital investment.
While many recognize Reum as the husband of socialite and businesswoman Paris Hilton, his professional achievements extend far beyond his high-profile marriage. His journey from investment banking to founding innovative companies demonstrates a pattern of entrepreneurial excellence that has positioned him as a respected figure in the venture capital community. Understanding Carter Reum's financial trajectory requires examining not just his current wealth, but the strategic decisions, business ventures, and investment philosophy that brought him to this point.
Who is Carter Reum?
Carter Milliken Reum was born on February 5, 1981, entering a world where business excellence was not just encouraged but expected. As an American entrepreneur, venture capitalist, and author, Reum has carved out a distinctive niche in the competitive landscape of startup investing and brand building. His professional identity encompasses multiple roles: co-founder of successful ventures, strategic investor in groundbreaking technology companies, and thought leader who shares his expertise through writing and speaking engagements.
Reum's professional reputation extends beyond his business ventures. He serves as the founder of M13 Ventures, an angel investment firm that has become synonymous with identifying promising consumer technology companies before they reach mainstream success. His approach to entrepreneurship combines traditional business fundamentals with an innovative mindset that anticipates consumer trends and technological shifts. This dual focus on solid business principles and forward-thinking strategy has enabled him to navigate the volatile world of startup investing with remarkable success.
The venture capitalist's professional journey reflects a pattern of calculated growth rather than overnight success. Unlike entrepreneurs who achieve viral fame through a single product or service, Reum built his wealth through a portfolio approach, diversifying his interests across multiple ventures while maintaining a consistent investment thesis focused on consumer-facing brands and technology platforms. This methodical approach to wealth building distinguishes him from many of his contemporaries and provides valuable lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs.
Origins and Background
The foundation of Carter Reum's entrepreneurial success was laid long before he launched his first company. Reum's father, Robert Reum, served as chairman, president, and chief executive officer of Chicago-based Amsted Industries, which was ranked as one of the United States' largest private companies by Forbes. This exposure to high-level business operations from an early age provided Reum with invaluable insights into corporate strategy, leadership, and the mechanics of building and scaling enterprises.
Growing up in Wayne, Illinois, Reum was surrounded by entrepreneurial thinking and business discussions that shaped his worldview. He has two siblings, a brother named Courtney and a sister named Halle. His brother Courtney would later become his business partner in multiple ventures, demonstrating the strong family bonds and shared values that characterized the Reum household. This family dynamic created an environment where business collaboration was natural, and where taking calculated risks was viewed not as reckless behavior but as a necessary component of building something meaningful.
Reum graduated from Columbia University in 2003 with a degree in economics, where he began demonstrating the entrepreneurial spirit that would define his career. His time at Columbia provided him with the theoretical framework necessary to understand market dynamics, financial systems, and economic principles. However, it was his practical application of these concepts in real-world business scenarios that truly set him apart. After graduation, he took a position at Goldman Sachs as an investment banker, where he gained crucial experience in financial analysis, deal structuring, and the inner workings of high-stakes corporate finance.
The Goldman Sachs experience proved instrumental in shaping Reum's business philosophy. Working in the industrials division exposed him to various business models and taught him how to evaluate companies, assess risk, and identify opportunities that others might overlook. This foundation in traditional finance would later serve him well as he transitioned from analyzing deals for others to creating and executing deals for himself. The combination of his privileged upbringing, quality education, and professional experience in investment banking created the perfect launching pad for his entrepreneurial endeavors.
Achievements, Impact, and Significance
Carter Reum's most significant early achievement came in 2007 when he and his brother Courtney identified a gap in the spirits market. The Reum brothers co-founded VEEV Spirits, an eco-friendly liquor company whose flagship product, VEEV Açaí Spirit, quickly gained popularity for its unique flavor and commitment to sustainability. This venture demonstrated Reum's ability to identify emerging consumer trends, particularly the growing interest in environmentally conscious products and exotic flavors. The company's success was not accidental but rather the result of careful market research, strategic positioning, and execution excellence.
What set VEEV Spirits apart was not just its product but its values-driven approach to business. VEEV became the first spirits brand to be certified as carbon neutral, a distinction that resonated with environmentally conscious consumers and positioned the brand as a leader in sustainable business practices. This achievement reflected Reum's understanding that modern consumers, particularly millennials and younger demographics, increasingly make purchasing decisions based on a company's values and environmental impact. By aligning business success with environmental responsibility, the Reum brothers created a brand that appealed to consumer's wallets and their values.
The transition from spirits entrepreneur to venture capitalist marked another pivotal achievement in Reum's career. In 2016, Carter Reum, along with his brother Courtney, launched M13, a venture capital firm focused on consumer products and services. This move represented a strategic evolution, allowing Reum to leverage his entrepreneurial experience to help other founders build successful companies. The firm's name, M13, references the Messier 13 star cluster, one of the brightest visible from the Northern Hemisphere, symbolizing the firm's ambition to identify and nurture the brightest startup opportunities.
M13's investment portfolio reads like a who's-who of successful technology companies. M13 has since become an influential player in the startup ecosystem, with notable investments in companies such as Lyft, Ring, and Snapchat. These investments demonstrate Reum's ability to identify promising startups before they achieve mainstream recognition. The Ring investment proved particularly lucrative when Amazon acquired the smart doorbell company for over one billion dollars, providing substantial returns for M13 and its limited partners. Such successful exits validate Reum's investment thesis and his ability to recognize transformative companies in their early stages.
Beyond direct investments, Reum's impact on the entrepreneurial ecosystem extends through his work as an author and mentor. He co-authored the book titled "Shortcut Your Startup: Ten Ways to Speed Up Entrepreneurial Success" with his brother Courtney, sharing practical insights drawn from their experiences building VEEV and investing in numerous startups. This contribution to entrepreneurial education demonstrates Reum's commitment to helping other founders navigate the challenging path of building successful companies. The book provides actionable advice rather than theoretical concepts, making it a valuable resource for entrepreneurs at various stages of their journey.
Quantitative and Qualitative Analysis
From a quantitative perspective, Carter Reum's financial success can be measured through multiple metrics. Carter Reum's net worth is estimated to be between $20 million and $40 million in 2025, representing significant wealth accumulated through entrepreneurial ventures and strategic investments. This wealth places him among successful venture capitalists, though it's notably less than his wife Paris Hilton's estimated $300 million net worth. However, the comparison misses an important point: Reum built his wealth independently through business acumen rather than inheritance, making his financial achievements particularly noteworthy.
The composition of Reum's wealth tells an interesting story about his business strategy. The sale of VEEV Spirits provided a substantial financial foundation, with estimates suggesting it accounts for approximately 40-50% of his total net worth. This liquidity event gave Reum the capital necessary to launch M13 Ventures and begin his career as an active investor. The remaining portion of his wealth is tied up in M13's portfolio companies, representing both current value and significant upside potential as these companies continue to grow and potentially exit through acquisitions or public offerings.
M13 Ventures itself has achieved remarkable success in the competitive venture capital landscape. M13 was recognized as the 14th top performer in the 2023 HEC-Dow Jones Venture Capital Performance Ranking, which evaluates the world's top global venture capital firms. This recognition validates Reum's investment approach and places his firm among the elite venture capital operations globally. The ranking considers factors such as return on investment, successful exits, and the overall performance of portfolio companies, providing objective evidence of M13's effectiveness as an investment vehicle.
The firm's assets under management tell another compelling story. Reports indicate that M13 manages over $1.3 billion in assets, a substantial increase from its first fund of $98 million. This growth demonstrates not only successful investment performance but also the confidence that limited partners place in Reum's ability to identify and support winning companies. The firm has funded over 87 companies according to various sources, including three unicorns (companies valued at over one billion dollars), one IPO, and eight acquisitions. These numbers reflect a diverse portfolio approach that balances risk across multiple investments while maintaining the potential for outsized returns.
From a qualitative standpoint, Reum's approach to venture capital distinguishes him from many of his peers. Rather than simply providing capital, M13 operates as what industry insiders call a "full-stack" venture firm, offering hands-on operational support to portfolio companies. This approach reflects Reum's own entrepreneurial experience and his understanding that early-stage companies need more than money—they need strategic guidance, operational expertise, and access to networks that can accelerate their growth. This mentorship model has become increasingly popular in venture capital, but Reum and his brother were early adopters of this approach.
The quality of M13's portfolio companies also speaks to Reum's ability to identify not just financially successful companies but those that are changing how people live and work. Investments in companies like Lyft transformed urban transportation, Ring revolutionized home security, and numerous other portfolio companies have created lasting impact in their respective markets. This focus on transformative rather than merely profitable companies reflects a value system that prioritizes creating meaningful change alongside financial returns.
Public Recognition and Influence
Carter Reum's public profile experienced a dramatic shift following his relationship with Paris Hilton. While he was already known within venture capital circles, his engagement and subsequent marriage to Hilton brought unprecedented media attention to his business ventures. Reum began dating media personality Paris Hilton in December 2019, and after becoming engaged on February 13, 2021, Hilton and Reum were married in Los Angeles on November 11, 2021. This high-profile relationship transformed Reum from a behind-the-scenes investor into a public figure, with his business activities receiving significant media coverage.
The increased visibility has had both advantages and challenges. On the positive side, Reum's association with Hilton has expanded his network and provided access to entrepreneurial opportunities in industries where Paris has established expertise, particularly in consumer brands, entertainment, and media. In interviews, Reum has acknowledged how his wife's experience as a pioneer in social media and personal branding has informed his understanding of the creator economy and influencer-driven businesses. This crossover between traditional venture capital and modern digital entrepreneurship represents an interesting evolution in his investment thesis.
Beyond his personal life, Reum has cultivated professional recognition through various channels. He has appeared as a guest commentator on networks including CBS and Fox, where he shares insights on entrepreneurship, startup investing, and business trends. He also serves as a contributing writer for major business publications, using these platforms to share his expertise with a broader audience. These media appearances position him as a thought leader in the venture capital space and help establish his credibility beyond his investment track record.
Goldman Sachs, his former employer, recognized Reum's achievements by selecting him as one of the 100 Most Intriguing Entrepreneurs at their annual summit. This recognition from a prestigious financial institution validates his transition from investment banker to successful entrepreneur and investor. The summit brings together emerging and established entrepreneurs to discuss building enduring companies and fostering innovation, placing Reum among a select group of business leaders shaping the entrepreneurial landscape.
Reum's influence extends into cultural and philanthropic realms as well. He serves as a board member at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), demonstrating his commitment to supporting arts and culture. This involvement shows a side of Reum that goes beyond pure business interests, reflecting a belief in giving back to the community and supporting institutions that enrich society. Such board positions also provide networking opportunities and enhance his reputation as a well-rounded business leader committed to causes beyond profit maximization.
Financial or Career Metrics
Examining Carter Reum's career trajectory reveals a pattern of strategic progression rather than random opportunity-taking. His early career at Goldman Sachs provided essential training in financial analysis and deal-making, skills that would prove invaluable in his later ventures. The decision to leave a secure position at a prestigious financial institution to launch VEEV Spirits represented a calculated risk based on identified market opportunity rather than impulsive action. This ability to assess risk versus reward has characterized his entire career.
The VEEV Spirits venture demonstrated Reum's capability to take a concept from ideation through execution to successful exit. While specific sale figures were not publicly disclosed when the Reum brothers sold a majority stake to Luxco in 2016, the transaction provided sufficient capital for them to launch M13 Ventures with meaningful resources. This liquidity event marked a crucial transition point, converting years of operational effort into liquid capital that could be deployed across multiple investment opportunities.
M13 Ventures' performance metrics highlight Reum's success as an investor. The firm's ranking as the 14th best-performing venture capital firm globally in 2023 placed it among an elite group of investment companies. More importantly, the firm was one of only eight U.S.-based firms in the top 20, demonstrating its competitive position within the world's largest venture capital market. This ranking considers multiple factors including fund returns, successful exits, and the performance of portfolio companies, providing a comprehensive assessment of investment effectiveness.
The growth of M13's assets under management from $98 million in its first fund to over $1.3 billion represents a compound annual growth rate that far exceeds typical venture capital fund growth. This expansion reflects not only successful investment performance that generates management fees but also the confidence of limited partners who continue to commit capital to subsequent funds. In venture capital, raising larger funds is both a vote of confidence from investors and a responsibility to deploy that capital effectively, requiring Reum to continuously identify promising investment opportunities.
Individual investment returns, while not always publicly disclosed, can be inferred from known exits and outcomes. The Ring acquisition by Amazon for over one billion dollars provided substantial returns to early investors like M13. Similarly, early investments in Lyft, which went public in 2019, and Pinterest, which also completed an IPO, likely generated strong returns given the typical equity stakes that early-stage investors receive. These successful exits not only increase the value of M13's funds but also enhance Reum's reputation, making it easier to access deal flow and secure allocations in competitive funding rounds.
Challenges, Controversies, or Public Opinions
No public figure's story is without complications, and Carter Reum's personal life has included elements that have attracted media scrutiny. In November 2021, PageSix reported that Reum had a daughter with model and former reality TV star Laura Bellizzi, born in 2013. This revelation, which surfaced around the time of his marriage to Paris Hilton, brought unwanted attention to his personal life and raised questions about his relationship with his daughter.
According to reports and statements from Reum's representatives, while he provides financial support for his daughter, he does not maintain what would be considered a traditional father-daughter relationship. Sources indicated that Reum financially provides for his child but at the time of the report had only met her once. This situation has drawn criticism from some quarters, with observers questioning the disconnect between financial support and emotional involvement. Bellizzi herself has made public statements expressing hope that Reum would choose to develop a relationship with their daughter, adding a layer of complexity to the narrative.
The controversy highlights the tension between private personal matters and public interest that comes with being married to one of the world's most famous media personalities. Paris Hilton reportedly knew about Reum's daughter before their marriage, suggesting that this was a matter they addressed privately. However, the public discussion of the situation raised questions about parental responsibility and whether financial support alone constitutes fulfilling one's obligations as a parent. This debate touched on broader societal discussions about fatherhood, presence, and what children need beyond material support.
From a business perspective, Reum has largely avoided major controversies. His companies have not been embroiled in scandals, and his investment activities have not generated the type of negative attention that sometimes accompanies venture capital investments in controversial sectors. However, like all venture capitalists, he faces the inherent challenge of portfolio companies that may fail or face their own controversies. The nature of venture capital investing means that even the most successful investors experience more failures than successes, though this is generally understood and accepted within the industry.
Public opinion about Reum tends to divide along predictable lines. Within the business and venture capital communities, he is generally well-regarded as a competent investor with a strong track record and operational experience that informs his investment decisions. Critics, however, sometimes dismiss him as someone who benefited from family connections and whose public profile is more attributable to his marriage than his business achievements. This criticism overlooks his independent successes but reflects the inevitable skepticism that accompanies anyone who marries into celebrity and subsequently receives increased attention.
Personal Life and Related Influences
Carter Reum's personal life has become increasingly intertwined with his public and professional identity following his marriage to Paris Hilton. The couple's relationship, which began in December 2019 after reconnecting at a Thanksgiving celebration hosted by Reum's sister, quickly progressed from dating to engagement to marriage. Their story represents a modern celebrity romance, complete with elaborate wedding celebrations and extensive media coverage that documented their journey together.
The couple has welcomed two children via surrogate: a son named Phoenix Baron Hilton Reum born in January 2023 and a daughter named London Marilyn Hilton Reum born in November 2023. The decision to use surrogacy was driven by multiple factors, including Paris's well-documented concerns about privacy and past trauma. In interviews, Hilton has discussed her decision candidly, explaining that while she would have loved the experience of pregnancy, the public nature of her life and personal anxieties made surrogacy the right choice for their family.
The couple's approach to parenting reflects their unique position as public figures trying to provide normalcy for their children. They have been selective about sharing images of their children, particularly their daughter London, whose face they kept private for an extended period after her birth. This protective stance demonstrates their desire to give their children some measure of privacy despite the inevitable public interest in their family. Reum has spoken about concerns regarding safety and his wish for their children to develop their own identities rather than being known primarily as Paris Hilton's children.
Family dynamics play a significant role in Reum's life and career. His ongoing business partnership with his brother Courtney demonstrates the importance he places on family relationships. The brothers have worked together for nearly two decades, first at VEEV Spirits and continuing through M13 Ventures. This enduring partnership suggests strong communication, shared values, and complementary skills that have enabled them to navigate the challenges of entrepreneurship together. Family connections also extend to his sister Halle, whose Thanksgiving invitation led to his reconnection with Paris Hilton, highlighting how personal and professional networks often overlap in meaningful ways.
The influence of his father's business career cannot be overstated. Growing up with a father who led one of America's largest private companies provided Reum with a front-row seat to corporate leadership and strategic thinking. This exposure likely influenced his approach to business, his comfort with high-stakes decision-making, and his understanding of how to build and scale organizations. While he chose a different path than corporate leadership, the lessons learned from observing his father's career have clearly informed his entrepreneurial journey.
Current Status and Updates
As of 2025, Carter Reum continues to operate M13 Ventures while balancing the demands of family life with his two young children and Paris Hilton. The venture capital firm remains active in identifying and supporting promising startups, with a particular focus on consumer technology companies serving millennial and Gen Z demographics. Recent investments continue to reflect M13's thesis of backing founders who are building transformative businesses in categories that matter to modern consumers.
The couple's life has faced recent challenges, including the loss of their Malibu home in the Los Angeles wildfires that devastated parts of Southern California. This personal setback has deepened their commitment to philanthropy and community support. In March 2025, the couple pledged $25,000 to support 50 women-owned businesses affected by the Eaton Fires. This charitable activity demonstrates their commitment to using their resources and platform to support others facing difficulties, particularly focusing on entrepreneurship and women-owned businesses.
Reum's role as a father has become increasingly central to his public identity. Paris Hilton has frequently shared glimpses of their family life through social media, showing Reum as an engaged parent despite his demanding professional schedule. The couple appears to have found a rhythm that allows them to pursue their respective business interests while prioritizing time with their children. Their approach to parenting emphasizes creating memorable experiences, traveling as a family, and maintaining traditions that will help their children develop a strong sense of family identity.
Professionally, Reum continues to leverage his unique position at the intersection of traditional venture capital and celebrity culture. His access to Paris's extensive network in entertainment, fashion, and consumer brands provides M13 with unique insights into emerging trends and potential investment opportunities. In interviews, Reum has acknowledged that his wife's pioneering work in social media and personal branding has enhanced his understanding of the creator economy, a sector that has become increasingly important in M13's investment thesis.
Looking forward, Reum appears positioned to continue building his wealth and influence within the venture capital community. M13's strong performance and growing assets under management suggest that the firm is attracting quality deal flow and generating returns that satisfy limited partners. As the portfolio companies continue to mature, additional exits through acquisitions or IPOs will provide opportunities for substantial gains that could significantly increase Reum's personal net worth. The venture capital industry's focus on consumer technology, artificial intelligence, and other sectors where M13 has expertise suggests favorable conditions for continued success.
Conclusion
Carter Reum's journey from investment banker to successful entrepreneur and venture capitalist illustrates the power of strategic thinking, continuous learning, and calculated risk-taking. His net worth, estimated between $20 million and $40 million, represents the financial culmination of years spent building businesses, making smart investments, and developing a reputation as a reliable partner for entrepreneurs seeking both capital and operational guidance. While his marriage to Paris Hilton has elevated his public profile, his business achievements stand independently as evidence of his capabilities and vision.
The story of Carter Reum offers valuable lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs and investors. His path demonstrates that success rarely comes from a single venture but rather from a portfolio approach that combines direct entrepreneurship with investment activities. His experience founding and selling VEEV Spirits provided both capital and credibility that made it possible to launch M13 Ventures, which has become his primary vehicle for wealth creation. This progression shows how each phase of a career can build upon previous experiences, creating a compounding effect that accelerates growth over time.
Perhaps most importantly, Reum's story highlights the importance of adaptability in the modern business landscape. From spirits manufacturing to venture capital, from behind-the-scenes investor to public figure, he has navigated multiple transitions while maintaining his core focus on identifying opportunities and executing effectively. His ability to leverage his marriage to Paris Hilton to gain insights into the creator economy while maintaining his identity as a serious investor demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of how personal and professional spheres can complement rather than compete with each other.
As Carter Reum continues to build M13 Ventures and support the next generation of entrepreneurs, his influence on the startup ecosystem will likely grow. His combination of operational experience, investment acumen, and access to unique networks positions him to identify and support transformative companies that might otherwise struggle to access capital and expertise. Whether his net worth continues to grow will depend on the performance of M13's portfolio, but his impact on entrepreneurship extends beyond personal financial metrics to include the success of the many founders he has supported throughout his career.
FAQs:
What is Carter Reum's current net worth in 2025?
Carter Reum's net worth is estimated to be between $20 million and $40 million as of 2025. This wealth has been accumulated primarily through his entrepreneurial ventures, including the sale of VEEV Spirits and his ongoing work as a venture capitalist through M13 Ventures. While his net worth is substantial, it is significantly less than his wife Paris Hilton's estimated $300 million net worth, which comes from her diverse business empire including fragrances, media ventures, and inherited wealth.
How did Carter Reum make his money?
Carter Reum built his wealth through multiple channels. He co-founded VEEV Spirits with his brother Courtney in 2007, creating an eco-friendly acai-based liquor brand that they successfully grew and eventually sold. Following this exit, the brothers launched M13 Ventures in 2016, a venture capital firm that has invested in numerous successful companies including Lyft, Ring, Snapchat, and SpaceX. His returns from these investments, combined with management fees from running M13, constitute the majority of his current wealth.
What is M13 Ventures and what companies has it invested in?
M13 Ventures is a venture capital firm co-founded by Carter and Courtney Reum in 2016 that focuses on early-stage consumer technology companies. The firm has invested in over 87 companies and manages more than $1.3 billion in assets. Notable portfolio companies include Lyft, Ring (acquired by Amazon), Snapchat, Pinterest, SpaceX, ClassPass, Daily Harvest, and Warby Parker. The firm was ranked as the 14th top-performing venture capital firm globally in the 2023 HEC-Dow Jones Venture Capital Performance Ranking.
Does Carter Reum have children from previous relationships?
Yes, Carter Reum has a daughter named Evie, born in 2013, from a previous relationship with former reality TV star Laura Bellizzi. According to reports, while Reum provides financial support for his daughter, he does not maintain a traditional father-daughter relationship with her and has limited contact. With his wife Paris Hilton, Reum has two children via surrogate: son Phoenix Baron Hilton Reum, born in January 2023, and daughter London Marilyn Hilton Reum, born in November 2023.
How does Carter Reum's wealth compare to Paris Hilton's?
Carter Reum's estimated net worth of $20-40 million is considerably less than Paris Hilton's estimated $300 million net worth. Paris built her wealth through a combination of inherited family fortune, a highly successful fragrance business that has generated over $2 billion in revenue, reality television appearances, DJing engagements, and various business ventures. However, it's important to note that Reum built his wealth independently through entrepreneurship and investment rather than inheritance, making his financial achievements noteworthy in their own right. The couple functions as a power couple with complementary business interests and networks.