Derrick Brown Bio

Derrick Brown joined Axum Capital Partners as a Partner in 2025. In addition to his involvement in Axum’s investment activities, Derrick co-leads the firm’s investment origination efforts focused on building industry relationships and establishing strategic partnerships. Mr. Brown is a successful food-and-beverage and health-and-wellness investor. He co-founded Free Fenix, where he and his team acquired ownership interests in fast-growing companies, including Clean Juice, Salata Salad Kitchen, and Hustle House Fitness. His latest venture is as Founder and President of FreeSpade, which is building an ecosystem for industry leaders to connect, grow, and thrive. Prior to his business career, Derrick Brown was a professional basketball player and was selected by the Charlotte Hornets in the National Basketball Association (NBA) Draft. This set off an 11-year career spanning tenures in both the NBA and the Euroleague, where he also served as Vice President of the Euroleague Players’ Association. Derrick’s focus since his days as a professional athlete has been centered on continuing to build and establish his expertise as a successful investor and operator, leading him to numerous profitable ventures including privately held, pre-IPO investments in Facebook, Uber, and Beyond Meat. Mr. Brown graduated with a dual degree in Marketing and Entrepreneurial Studies from Xavier University, and he has an MBA from Wake Forest University.