Courtne Smith Explained

Courtne Smith (born April 29, 1988) is a Canadian-American entrepreneur.

Early life and education

Courtne Smith was born in Toronto, Ontario and is a dual citizen of Canada and the United States.[1] Smith attended the University of Western Ontario where she studied business.[2] [3]

Her father, Bruce Smith, was an African-American athlete and entrepreneur who grew up in Huntsville, Texas. He became a professional football player in 1972, winning the Canadian Grey Cup Championship. He played for the Toronto Argonauts from 1976 to 1979 as defensive captain DT.[4] [5] Smith led a successful career in real estate becoming one of Canada’s top-selling agents and later established his own firm. He became an ordained chaplain and pastor in 1999. He passed away of pancreatic cancer in 2013 at the age of 63.[6]

Career

Smith began her career as a personal assistant to Grammy Award-winning musician Drake (Aubrey Drake Graham).[7] She worked in Drake’s management team[8] for over a decade handling his business endeavors and special projects.[9] Smith and Drake grew up together in Toronto, Ontario and were best friends since they were kids. She dropped out of college when Drake offered her a job[10] and is the only female in Drake’s inner circle.[11] [12]

In 2015, Smith co-founded Tharen,[13] a hair extension brand with Filip Diarra. Tharen was worn by Serena Williams and Taraji P. Henson. In 2015, Shopify chose Tharen as an honorable business for the 2015 Shopify Ecommerce Design Awards.[14] Tharen was acquired in 2019.[15] [16]

In 2018, Smith co-founded Suprize, a contest giveaway app with Filip Diarra. Suprize combined pop culture, fashion, entertainment and gaming for users looking to win free prizes.[17] Suprize was favored by celebrities like Post Malone and Shawn Mendes.

In 2020, Smith and Diarra launched NewNew,[18] [19] [20] a polling and decision-making platform. She is the CEO of NewNew and one of fewer than 20 Black female founders in tech history to build an eight-figure, venture-backed company. NewNew is funded by investors including Andreessen Horowitz, Founders Fund, Canaan Partners and Shrug Capital. Snap Inc. selected NewNew as one of nine companies for Snapchat’s inaugural Yellow Collabs program.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Washington. Airen. Former Drake Executive Discusses Her Transition To Tech And Entrepreneurship. 2021-01-23. Forbes. en.
  2. Web site: Gaviola. Anne. 2021-02-02. This tech 'outsider' CEO from Toronto went from Drake's inner circle to taking on Silicon Valley - BNN Bloomberg. 2021-06-07. BNN.
  3. Web site: Wong. Zara. 2016-02-04. How being Drake's personal assistant inspired a new business idea. 2021-01-23. Vogue Australia. en.
  4. Web site: 2013-01-04. Former CFL lineman and Grey Cup champion Bruce Smith dies at age 63. 2021-01-23. Toronto.com. en-CA.
  5. Web site: 2013-01-04. ARGOS MOURN LOSS OF BRUCE SMITH. 2021-01-23. Toronto Argonauts. en.
  6. Web site: 2013-01-04. Former Argo Bruce Smith remembered. 2021-01-23. thestar.com. en.
  7. Web site: In a startup reprise, Courtne Smith launches NewNew, a social network based on shared content. 2021-01-23. TechCrunch. en-US.
  8. Web site: Ifeanyi. K. C.. 2020-12-15. How polling app NewNew represents the new class of social media. 2021-06-07. Fast Company. en-US.
  9. Web site: Ifeanyi. K. C.. 2020-12-15. How polling app NewNew represents the new class of social media. 2021-01-23. Fast Company. en-US.
  10. Web site: Stengel. Geri. Smart VCs Recognize That Black Female Founders May Lead The Next Unicorns. 2021-01-23. Forbes. en.
  11. Web site: Courtne Smith SWEAT THE STYLE. 2021-01-23. en-US.
  12. Web site: Here's A Who's-Who Of The Thank You Note On Drake's New Mixtape. 2021-01-23. The FADER. en.
  13. Web site: Stengel. Geri. Smart VCs Recognize That Black Female Founders May Lead The Next Unicorns. 2021-06-07. Forbes. en.
  14. Web site: Announcing the Winners of the 2014-2015 Shopify Ecommerce Design Awards. 2021-01-23. Shopify. en.
  15. Web site: Weekend inspiration. 2021-01-23. brunchwork. en-US.
  16. Web site: 2020-12-17. Decision-Making App NewNew Selected for Snapchat's Yellow Collabs Partnership Program. 2021-01-23. The Plug. en-US.
  17. Web site: What Is Suprize, the App Offering Up a Chance to Win Prizes Like a Drake Scorpion Jacket and Tour Tickets?. 2021-01-23. Complex. en.
  18. News: 2021-05-16. The app that lets you pay to control another person's life. en-GB. BBC News. 2021-06-07.
  19. News: Lorenz. Taylor. 2021-03-10. For Creators, Everything Is for Sale. en-US. The New York Times. 2021-06-07. 0362-4331.
  20. Web site: 2021-04-01. Monetizing the 'creator economy,' with NewNew. 2021-06-07. CNBC. en.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Courtne Smith".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2024, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.