Jaylon Smith’s 10x Return on Oura Investment

Jaylon Smith, the 30-year-old NFL athlete, is making significant moves to ensure long-term financial security and generational wealth. Guided by Michael Ledo’s RISE Family Office, Smith has strategically invested his earnings, achieving a remarkable 10x return on his investment in the health tech company Oura.

A 10x Return on Oura Investment

Smith’s investment journey began in 2021 during his final run with the Dallas Cowboys. Intrigued by the health and wellness space, particularly tools for data gathering, he invested $100,000 in Oura’s Series C funding round after the deal was presented by RISE. “Oura was one of the deals that was brought to me, and I decided to invest,” Smith told AFROTECH™. He has since exited his Oura stake around its Series E round, reportedly securing a 10x return on his investment as of the deal’s closing in February, according to Sportico. Oura’s valuation reached $11 billion in November 2025 after selling 5.5 million smart rings.

Smith views this early exit and substantial return as a “wonderful opportunity” to “reallocate it the right way.” This strategic reinvestment, managed by RISE Family Office, aims to help Smith achieve financial freedom and build lasting generational wealth.

Diversified Portfolio and Entrepreneurial Ambitions

Beyond his success with Oura, Smith’s investment portfolio is diverse. It includes JINYA Ramen Bar, a venture where he is a franchisee with plans to open eight to ten locations across Indiana. His ambition is to eventually own over 350 restaurants across multiple concepts, inspired by the late athlete-turned-billionaire Junior Bridgeman.

Smith also holds private investments in the health tech space, with nearly 30-35% of his 21 investments falling into this category. Furthermore, he co-owns a financial services firm, Cycle Management Group, and an eyewear brand, CEV Collection, which is stocked in over 500 Sam’s Clubs and has partnered with Howard University. He is also developing a $5 million insurance company with his brother in partnership with Globe Life.

Avoiding the ‘Slow Bleed’ of Lifestyle Inflation

Michael Ledo of RISE Family Office highlighted Smith’s proactive approach: “What made Jaylon unique is that he built quality assets. He just didn’t passively invest into the markets. He was a lot more aggressive when it came to private investments.” Ledo further explained Smith’s strategy to avoid “lifestyle inflation,” a common pitfall for athletes where spending outpaces income after their careers end. “A lot of athletes have what they call a slow bleed where they’ve had so much lifestyle inflation throughout their career, and then when that money stops, it’s just a slow bleed. And so what we’re at with Jaylon is not only sustaining the lifestyle he’s experienced, but having the surplus to keep investing and to keep building.”