Jared Leto Is the Latest Celeb to Hop on the Entrepreneurial BandwagonThe Academy Award-winning actor and musician has invested in tech startup Zenefits, an automated human resources company.
ByGeoff Weiss•
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Fresh off a career renaissance that culminated in an Academy Award win earlier this year, actor Jared Leto is the latest celebrity to hop on the entrepreneurial bandwagon.
The 42-year-old has tendered an investment in tech startupZenefits, which handles human resources tasks such as benefits, payroll, health insurance and 401(k)s for small and medium-sized businesses. Zenefits is free to businesses; the company is paid by third-party providers for brokering their services.
Introduced to Zenefits by Box CEO Aaron Levie, Leto "is expected to help with connections to the media and entertainment industries,"The Wall Street Journalreports.
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"This incredible company is the future of H.R.," LetotoldThe New York Times. "They help us focus on people, creativity, and growing business rather than paperwork."
The San Francisco-headquartered company's series B round, led by Andreessen Horowitz, raised a total of $66.5 million, valuing the company at a reported $500 million.
In addition to a successful singing career, Leto has toyed withmusical business venturesin the past.The Hiveis a social media management agency whose aim is to foster deeper engagement between artists and their fans; The One and Only Golden Tickets arranges fan VIP experiences; andVyRTsells digital tickets to live-stream concerts.
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