Carter Reum: M13 Investor, Entrepreneur and Paris Hilton’s Husband

Introduction

Carter Reum is an American entrepreneur, venture-capital investor and author. He is best known for co-founding the investment firm M13, building and selling VEEV Spirits, and marrying media personality and businesswoman Paris Hilton.

As of July 2026, Carter is a co-founder and managing partner at M13. His work focuses mainly on finding and supporting young companies in commerce, healthcare, consumer technology and other fast-growing industries.

Before becoming an investor, he worked at Goldman Sachs and then started VEEV Spirits with his brother, Courtney Reum. The brothers later sold the drinks business and used their experience to build M13.

Carter Reum Quick Facts

Detail	Verified information
Full name	Carter Milliken Reum
Profession	Entrepreneur, venture-capital investor and author
Nationality	American
Education	Columbia College, class of 2003
Current role	Co-founder and managing partner at M13
Former employer	Goldman Sachs
Former company	VEEV Spirits
Business partner	Courtney Reum
Published book	Shortcut Your Startup
Spouse	Paris Hilton
Best known for	M13, VEEV Spirits and his marriage to Paris Hilton

Who Is Carter Reum?

Carter Reum is a business founder who moved from investment banking into entrepreneurship and venture capital.

Many people first discovered him through his relationship with Paris Hilton. However, he had already developed a long business career before their marriage.

He worked in investment banking, created a drinks company, completed a business sale, wrote a book and established an investment firm. His career therefore combines practical company-building experience with startup investment.

Readers interested in similar business careers can also explore the story of venture-capital investor Marko Oolo, whose work also connects technology companies with early-stage funding.

Education and Early Career

Carter studied at Columbia College and was part of its class of 2003.

After completing his education, he entered investment banking at Goldman Sachs. This role gave him experience in finance, business analysis and company transactions.

Investment banking was an important starting point, but Carter and his brother wanted to build a company of their own. They eventually left banking and entered the drinks industry.

This was a major career change. Instead of advising businesses, the brothers became responsible for creating a product, developing a brand, attracting customers and growing sales.

Building VEEV Spirits

Carter and Courtney Reum launched VEEV Spirits in 2007.

The company became known for its açaí-based spirit and later developed ready-to-drink cocktail products. It entered a crowded drinks market where new brands must compete for shop space, customer attention and long-term loyalty.

Building VEEV gave the brothers direct experience in many parts of business, including:

• Product development
• Branding and packaging
• Marketing
• Retail distribution
• Team building
• Raising capital
• Working with investors
• Preparing a company for sale

Luxco announced its agreement to acquire VEEV Spirits from Carter and Courtney in 2016. The official announcement did not disclose the value of the transaction.

The sale was important because it gave the brothers experience across almost the full life of a company. They had taken an idea, turned it into a working business and completed an exit.

Why Did Carter Reum Start M13?

After selling VEEV, Carter and Courtney co-founded M13 in 2016.

M13 is an early-stage venture-capital firm. It invests in young companies and helps their founders develop products, find customers, hire workers and build stronger business systems.

The brothers designed M13 around the type of support they wished they had received while running VEEV.

This approach is based on a simple idea: founders often need more than money. They may also need practical help with recruitment, operations, marketing, data and business growth.

According to Carter Reum’s official M13 profile, he remains the firm’s co-founder and managing partner as of July 2026. His listed areas of expertise include commerce and healthcare.

M13 also reports that it has invested at the seed or Series A stage in 18 companies that later reached unicorn valuations. A unicorn is a privately owned startup valued at $1 billion or more.

What Does Carter Reum Do at M13?

As a managing partner, Carter helps guide the firm’s investment strategy and evaluate possible investments.

His responsibilities may include:

• Meeting startup founders
• Studying business ideas
• Examining markets and customer demand
• Deciding which companies M13 should support
• Helping founders improve their business plans
• Connecting companies with useful experts
• Supporting portfolio companies as they grow

Carter has said that communication is an important skill for founders. A startup leader must explain an idea clearly to customers, employees and investors.

A founder may have a strong product, but the business can still struggle when people do not understand its purpose. This is why storytelling, leadership and clear communication matter alongside technology.

M13’s Investment Approach

M13 mainly works with companies during the early stages of their development.

Early-stage investing can carry significant risk. Young companies may have limited income, small teams or products that are still being tested.

Investors must therefore consider several questions:

• Does the product solve a real problem?
• Is the market large enough?
• Can the founding team work well together?
• Will customers pay for the service?
• Can the company grow without losing quality?
• Does the business have an advantage over competitors?

Carter’s experience with VEEV is useful in this process because he understands the problems founders face from personal experience.

He has dealt with product decisions, fundraising, company growth and a business sale. This allows him to examine startup plans from both an investor’s view and a founder’s view.

Writing Shortcut Your Startup

Carter and Courtney Reum published Shortcut Your Startup: Ten Ways to Speed Up Entrepreneurial Success in 2018.

The book shares practical lessons for people who want to create or grow a company. It draws on the brothers’ experiences as Goldman Sachs bankers, VEEV founders and startup investors.

Its main purpose is not to promise instant success. Instead, it explains how founders can make better choices, avoid common mistakes and move more efficiently.

The book discusses subjects such as finding the right business idea, building a team, learning from customers and recognising when a company should change direction.

Carter is one of several founders whose career has moved through different industries. Another example is entrepreneur Jesse Itzler, whose work has included music, private aviation, consumer products, professional sport and endurance events.

Carter Reum and Paris Hilton

Carter Reum is married to Paris Hilton, an American media personality, entrepreneur, performer and businesswoman.

The couple had known each other for several years before beginning a relationship in 2019. They announced their engagement in February 2021 and married on November 11, 2021.

Their wedding took place at a private estate in Los Angeles.

Carter and Paris have two children together. Their son, Phoenix Barron Hilton Reum, was born in January 2023. Their daughter, London Marilyn Hilton Reum, arrived in November 2023.

Although the marriage increased Carter’s public recognition, he continues to maintain a separate professional identity through M13 and his investment work.

Is Carter Reum Only Famous Because of Paris Hilton?

Carter became more widely recognised after starting his relationship with Paris Hilton, but his business career began many years earlier.

Before their marriage, he had already:

• Worked at Goldman Sachs
• Co-founded VEEV Spirits
• Sold VEEV to Luxco
• Co-founded M13
• Invested in growing companies
• Published a business book

His marriage explains much of his mainstream celebrity attention. His professional reputation, however, comes mainly from entrepreneurship and venture capital.

LACMA Board Role

Carter has also served as a trustee of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, commonly called LACMA.

The museum appointed him to its board in 2017. Board members help guide the organisation’s long-term plans, policies and development.

This position connects Carter’s business experience with one of the largest art museums in the western United States.

What Can New Entrepreneurs Learn From Carter Reum?

Carter’s career provides several simple business lessons.

Experience can become an investment advantage

Building VEEV gave him practical knowledge that can now help him understand other founders.

Selling a company is not the end

After the VEEV sale, Carter and Courtney used what they had learned to begin a new business in venture capital.

Founders need more than funding

Money can help a company grow, but founders may also require help with hiring, marketing, operations and decision-making.

Clear communication matters

A founder must explain why a product is useful. Employees, customers and investors need to understand the company’s purpose.

Business careers can change direction

Carter moved from banking to drinks, publishing and technology investment. A person’s first job does not have to define their entire career.

Why Is Carter Reum Still Relevant in 2026?

Carter remains relevant because M13 continues to invest in businesses shaped by changes in technology and consumer behaviour.

His recent investment interests include commerce, healthcare, artificial intelligence, online communities, entertainment and tools that help brands operate more effectively.

Consumers increasingly discover products through creators, online groups, games, sports and digital entertainment. This creates opportunities for businesses that can connect culture, community and shopping.

Carter and M13 are studying how these changes may influence the next generation of companies.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Carter Reum?

Carter Reum is an American entrepreneur, venture-capital investor and author. He is a co-founder and managing partner of M13.

What is Carter Reum famous for?

He is known for co-founding M13, building and selling VEEV Spirits, writing Shortcut Your Startup and marrying Paris Hilton.

What does Carter Reum do now?

As of July 2026, he works as a co-founder and managing partner at M13, where he helps identify and support early-stage companies.

Did Carter Reum work at Goldman Sachs?

Yes. He worked as an investment banker at Goldman Sachs before starting VEEV Spirits with his brother.

What company did Carter Reum sell?

Carter and Courtney Reum sold VEEV Spirits to Luxco in 2016. The financial terms were not publicly disclosed in the official acquisition announcement.

Who is Carter Reum’s brother?

His brother is Courtney Reum. They co-founded VEEV Spirits and M13 and co-wrote Shortcut Your Startup.

When did Carter Reum marry Paris Hilton?

Carter Reum and Paris Hilton married on November 11, 2021.

How many children do Carter Reum and Paris Hilton have?

They have two children together: a son named Phoenix and a daughter named London.

What book did Carter Reum write?

He co-wrote Shortcut Your Startup: Ten Ways to Speed Up Entrepreneurial Success with Courtney Reum.

Where did Carter Reum study?

He attended Columbia College and was part of the class of 2003.

Conclusion

Carter Reum is an entrepreneur and investor whose career extends beyond his marriage to Paris Hilton.

He began in investment banking before creating VEEV Spirits with his brother. After selling the company, the brothers launched M13 to invest in and support early-stage businesses.

As of July 2026, Carter remains M13’s co-founder and managing partner. His work combines finance, company-building experience, startup investment and business education.

His career shows how the knowledge gained from building one company can be used to support many other founders.