Muhsin Muhammad

Muhsin Muhammad II is a founding Managing Partner and Managing Director of Axum Capital Partners, a Charlotte-based private equity firm he co-founded with Denis Ackah-Yensu. His responsibilities span deal sourcing, investment selection, and portfolio management. Axum is frequently described as one of the few Black-owned private equity firms operating at meaningful scale in the food and beverage sector.

Before his investing career, Muhammad spent 14 years in the National Football League with the Carolina Panthers (11 seasons) and the Chicago Bears. He served as team captain for both franchises and led each to a Super Bowl (Super Bowl XXXVIII with Carolina and Super Bowl XLI with Chicago). He still holds the NFL record for the longest touchdown reception in Super Bowl history and is one of only three players to have scored touchdowns for two different teams in the Super Bowl. During his playing career he was an NFL Players Association union representative for four years and sat on the league's Executive Business Committee.

Muhammad earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Michigan State University and, while still playing, completed Wharton's Executive Business Management & Entrepreneurship Program. During and after his football career he co-founded and invested in several operating companies and multiple real estate projects across the country before formalizing that work into Axum.

Beyond investing, he is active in the Charlotte community: he founded a nonprofit supporting at-risk youth and has served on the boards of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Charlotte and Gift of Adoption of the Carolinas.

• Invests in health- and wellness-centric food and beverage brands across ingredients, packaged consumer goods, and food service.
• Targets established, fast-growing companies — roughly $3M–$15M EBITDA and under $250M revenue — rather than pure early-stage seed deals; typically makes growth-equity or control investments.
• Prefers family-owned and founder-led businesses that are already profitable, high-growth, and mission-driven, with a geographic lean toward the Southeastern U.S.
• In his own words: *"Our food choices are fundamental—and today's consumers want healthier, better-for-you options. This is where Axum thrives."*
• Leverages "cultural capital" and athlete/celebrity networks (e.g., partnerships with Stephen Curry's 7K creative firm) to help portfolio brands with reach and brand-building.