We recently connected with Brett Johnson and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Brett thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you talk to us about serving the underserved.

Back in my early conversations, I noticed a surprising gap: despite its rich culture and passionate fanbase, Rhode Island did not have a professional soccer franchise. While reviewing World Cup data, we discovered that Providence consistently ranked among the top ten U.S. markets for TV ratings – despite having no team of its own. That insight crystallized the opportunity. This wasn’t just about market potential – it was about a community waiting to be honored.

We launched Rhode Island FC in December 2019 with exactly that in mind. Fast forward to May 2025, and there I was watching a sold-out crowd of 10,700 people pack our brand-new Centreville Bank Stadium on opening night. One supporter came up to me after the match and said, “We finally feel seen.” That moment reminded me this was never just about soccer – it was about giving Rhode Islanders a sense of identity and belonging.

When we were awarded development rights and began construction, we weren’t just launching a club – we were investing in a city long underserved by world-class sports infrastructure and economic opportunity. Today, Centreville Bank Stadium stands as both a symbol and engine of renewal for Pawtucket and the broader Rhode Island community.

Brett, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Benevolent Capital was founded in 2005 by Brett and Grant Johnson as a family office. Brett Johnson has varying levels of operational and ownership control over several professional soccer clubs and commercial real estate developments in both the United States and United Kingdom. Grant Johnson primarily oversees Benevolent’s Venture Capital and Private Equity portfolio.

From its initial launch, the Benevolent platform has expanded to include an experienced group of partners, executives and investors. The Benevolent portfolio continues to expand with investments in early-stage companies, many that have increased in their respective valuations since the investment, along with real estate development and professional soccer franchises.

Benevolent Capital redefines the art of partnership between investing and investors. As General Partners, we invest in every portfolio company, and we never take a management fee from our Private Equity & Venture Capital LPs. Additionally, until or unless your investment earns 100% preferred return (2x on invested capital), we don’t take a promote – meaning we succeed only when you succeed.

Before creating the family office, most of the current team of professionals at Benevolent were chief operating executives at both private and public companies having over $500 Million in annual revenues. Our wide range of experience, from managing successful companies and handling acquisitions and a wide range of debt and equity investments, enables us to truly partner with the entrepreneurs and management teams of our portfolio companies and provide guidance towards their growth and maximizing investor returns.

Benevolent has a proven track record of successful investments that have led to returns actually realized. Most notably, our $200,000 investment in seed capital for Enzymatics, a biotech firm later ultimately acquired by Invitae (now owned by LabCorp Holdings Inc.) yielded over $30,000,000 in total returns.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Back in the early days of Phoenix Rising, we faced a major crisis: we lost the lease on our stadium and were forced to relocate. It was a messy situation – fans were confused, morale took a hit, and momentum slowed. But I firmly believe adversity can spark innovation.

So we made a bold decision: we would rebrand. We rebuilt the team’s identity from the ground up – revamping logos, renewing community relationships, and relaunching fan engagement strategies. We called it our phoenix moment. And guess what? The rebrand worked. That moment of near-collapse became a turning point. Phoenix Rising not only recovered – it thrived, with a renewed sense of pride and unity, setting the stage for future success.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

Before becoming an entrepreneur, I had experience leading organizations with global brands and footprints. I was recruited by one of these companies to be the CEO and I embarked on a business plan that I felt passionate about and committed to it’s success. Ultimately the board of the Company decided to go in a different direction, which is fairly common in larger organizations. While disappointing, it was a pivotal career moment for me and largely contributed to my epiphany to become an entrepreneur. In other words, my failure in this arena led to my realization that I was better suited pursuing my dreams and aspirations working for myself, rather than for someone else.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://benevolentcapital.com/