Steven Bartlett, 28, Set to Become Youngest Dragon in BBC Show 'Dragons' Den' History
- Social media mogul Steven Bartlett is set to become the youngest ever judge on BBC's hit show, Dragons' Den
- The entrepreneur founded his incredibly successful tech firm at just 22 years old
- Bartlett says he hopes to bring a new, youthful audience of future entrepreneurs to the show
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Social media entrepreneur Steven Bartlett is set to bring a new, younger viewership to popular BBC show Dragons Den. At just 28 years old, he's the shows youngest-ever judge.
The show sees people pitch their innovative business ideas to more experienced entrepreneurs in exchange for advice and a share in their companies.
Source: Twitter
BBC made the official announcement on Thursday, much to the satisfaction of Barlett's 1.2 million social media followers. Over the past 15 years, the business titans of Dragons' Den have sealed 276 deals with 1 000 entrepreneurs worth £22 million.
The show's traditionally been marketed to an older generation of business moguls, but with Bartlett's addition, it's clear the channel is learning to take young businesspeople far more seriously.
Steven Barlett is the incredibly accomplished co-founder and former CEO of listed social media firm Social Chain. He started the company, which now has a market value of around £300million, from his parent's house at just 22.
The author and podcaster has also been featured in Forbes 30 under 30 and won accolades at the Black British Business Awards and the Great British Entrepreneur Awards.
Getting just a little sentimental, Barlett told the BBC he's been watching Dragons' Den since he was just 12 years old and that he hopes to inspire others.
"I hope to give a new generation of entrepreneurs, inspiring young and specifically under-represented entrepreneurs to follow in my footsteps," he ended.
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Meanwhile, in some other business news, Briefly News previously reported that US music producer Pharrell Williams and Adidas Originals have launched a Xhosa sneakers design but it is disappointingly not available for sale in Mzansi.
The NMD HU Clear Aqua sneakers feature the word 'Uluntu', which is Xhosa for human race and humanity. The latest edition drawing inspiration from Mzansi is the first to be released in a blue tone.
Business Insider reports that a representative from Adidas South Africa's head office told them that the shoes will not be available for sale in the country. The musician's sneakers will be sold via Adidas' online store, mobile app and at selected retailers around the globe.
They cost $220 (about R3 000) in the US.
Many Mzansi social media users have shared mixed reactions to the launch of Pharrell's new sneakers line. Some have asked why they would not be available for sale in Mzansi while they are using one of Mzansi's own languages.
Check out some of the comments below:
@bonganig wrote:
"@bathu_sa & @DRIPFootWear are clearly doing something right if @adidasoriginals is going to target South Africans like that."
@DidimaloM commented:
"Hey Bongani. Just read the article, unfortunately they’re not going to be in retail here in SA. But you’re right if one of the languages made in on an Adidas footwear, we celebrate nonetheless."
@Ritabat2010211 said:
"Why can't you buy it in SA?"
@kengBothata commented:
"A strategy to create a demand so that they can put a big price tag on it and then call it exclusive."
@SingElle added:
"Even a bit of @MaXhosaAfrica would have made it African, let alone Xhosa."
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Source: Briefly News
