Steven Bartlett (businessman) explained

Steven Bartlett
Birth Name:Steven Cliff Bartlett
Birth Date:1992 8, df=yes
Birth Place:Botswana
Nationality:Botswana-British
Awards:Forbes 30 Under 30 (2020)
Module:
Embed:yes
Channel Display Name:The Diary Of A CEO
Channel Direct Url:@TheDiaryOfACEO
Genre:Podcasting
Subscribers:8.39 million
Views:601.2 million
Gold Button:yes
Stats Update:04 December 2024
Years Active:2019–present
Location:United Kingdom

Steven Cliff Bartlett (born 26 August 1992) is an English entrepreneur, investor and podcaster. He founded the social media marketing company Social Chain in 2014. In 2017 he started the The Diary of a CEO podcast, which is one of the world's most listened-to podcasts. Spotify Wrapped ranked it in the top 10 most popular podcasts globally in 2023.[1] In 2021, he began appearing as an investor on the BBC One show Dragons' Den.[2] [3] He is the founder of Flight group which consists of Flight Studio, Flight Fund, Flight Story, Flight Books and Thirdweb.[4] [5]

Early life and education

Steven Cliff Bartlett[6] was born on 26 August 1992[7] in Botswana to an English father and a Nigerian mother.[8] His mother left school at age seven and could not read or write; his father is a structural engineer.[9] Steven moved with his family to Plymouth, England, at the age of two. Here, he grew up, attending a secondary school, Plymstock School, from which he was expelled in sixth form.[10] [11] [12] He went to study at Manchester Metropolitan University, but dropped out after one lecture.[11] [13]

During his early years Bartlett moonlighted as a rapper under the moniker "Lyricist".

Career

In 2013, Bartlett founded Wallpark, an online messaging board.[13] In 2014, Bartlett co-founded Social Chain, a social media marketing company based in Manchester, England, United Kingdom, along with Dominic McGregor,[14] but stepped down as CEO in 2020.[15]

In 2019, the Financial Times reported that Steven and Wanja Oberhof would jointly manage Social Chain AG, which was valued at €186M at the time that it merged with Lumaland.[16] In 2019, Social Chain and German online retailer Lumaland merged to become The Social Chain AG, listing on Xetra and the Düsseldorf Stock Exchange. The listing valued the business at over $200 million.[17] In November 2021, Social Chain AG moved to the Frankfurt Stock Exchange's prime standard reaching a valuation of $600 million. Bartlett's website initially said that he founded a $600 million company. However, The Times reported that Bartlett had left the business at the time of the second listing.[18] Bartlett noted to The Times that he retained a “significant” shareholding in Social Chain AG at the time of the second listing and that he was under contract to work for the company “on a range of strategic matters” at the time of the $600m valuation, including the up-listing to the Prime Standard of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, for which he received a “further package of virtual shares/options”.[19] Bartlett's original company Social Chain Ltd. was later sold for £7.7m.[20]

The Diary of a CEO podcast

Bartlett is well-known for The Diary of a CEO podcast which he has produced since 2017 where he interviews guests, which have included well known public figures like Simon Cowell, Jada Pinkett Smith, Boris Johnson, Seth Rogen, Maisie Williams, Thierry Henry, and Richard Branson.[21] By the early 2020s The Diary of a CEO was one of the world's most listened-to podcasts,[22] ranking #9 in the top most listened podcasts of 2023 on Spotify. In 2023, according to a podcast chart, The Diary of a CEO has the second largest weekly audience in the United Kingdom.[23] Bartlett has been described as taking a largely apolitical stance on the podcast. Bartlett has been criticised for having alternative medicine-related guests on his podcast whose assertions are not backed by scientific evidence.

In July 2022, Steven Bartlett partnered with His Majesty’s Prison Service to distribute The Diary of a CEO podcast through the service’s in-cell technology. The initiative aimed to educate and inspire young adults within the UK prison system by providing them with access to motivational content and personal development insights.[24]

In May 2024, The Diary of a CEO podcast launched a dedicated 24/7 channel exclusively on Samsung TV Plus. The Diary of a CEO is the first vodcast (video podcast) and YouTube channel of its kind to partner with Samsung, the company revealed.[25] [26]

Projects

Thirdweb

Thirdweb, a Web3 startup founded by Bartlett, raised $5m in seed investment, and an additional $24 million in 2022, nine months after going live. The Series A funding round valued the startup at $160 million.[27] The funding was led by Katie Haun's $1.5 billion crypto fund, with participation from investors including Coinbase Ventures, Shopify, and Polygon. The company aims to simplify the process of building decentralized applications on the blockchain.[28]

Flight Fund

In January 2023, Bartlett launched Flight Fund, a $100 million fund for tech investment.[29] The fund claims to support diverse founders and high-growth startups in blockchain, biotech, health, commerce, technology, and space sectors. The fund had a stated goal to invest in around 20 companies, offering small stakes at discounted valuations in exchange for support from previous founders who are limited partners in the fund.[4]

According to a report in The Times, Flight Fund had received criticism over a lack of transparency regarding its portfolio.[30]

Advertising guidelines breaches by or featuring Bartlett

The BBC, which currently airs The Dragons' Den, reprimanded Bartlett in 2022 for breaching BBC guidelines on advertising after wearing jewellery on the programme of a brand which he promoted in posts on social media. In a statement, they told The Radio Times: "We have clear guidelines around talent's commercial activity while working with us. Steven has been reminded of the guidelines." In a statement, Bartlett addressed the issue, adding: "This was a genuine oversight on my part. The posts have now been taken down."[31]

The Advertising Standards Authority took action against Bartlett in August 2022 for breaching the CAP Code (Edition 12) rules 2.1, 2.3 and 2.4, in which he advertised the meal replacement firm Huel on his The Diary of a CEO podcast without clearly disclosing its nature as an advertisement. The ASA ruled that the advertisement must not appear again in its current form and subsequently advised Bartlett and Huel to "ensure that they made clear the commercial intent of advertising content in podcasts in future, for example by including a clear and prominent identifier such as 'advertisement' and making sure the break from editorial content to the ad was clearly and audibly identified."[32] [33]

In August 2024, advertisements featuring Bartlett by Zoe and Huel were banned by the advertising standards authority because they did not properly disclose their relationship with Bartlett.[34] [35]

Recognition and public image

In 2020, Bartlett was inducted into the Manchester Hall of Fame. In the same year, he was included in the Forbes 30 Under 30 list.[36] Bartlett's reputation among the general public has been described as polarizing.

Books

In 2021, Bartlett released his first book, Happy Sexy Millionaire,[37] which was a Sunday Times bestseller.[38] In 2023, Bartlett released his second book, The Diary of a CEO: The 33 Laws of Business and Life,[39] where he recollects topics from the podcast of the same name and condenses it into a published print version. The Diary of a CEO: The 33 Laws of Business and Life was shortlisted at The British Book Awards for Book of the Year after it became the fastest-selling personal development book since records began.[40] [41]

Other activities

In 2019, he featured in the Channel 4 series The Secret Teacher,[42] going undercover at a school near Liverpool as a teacher.[43]

He created the private equity company Catena Capital,[44] in December 2020 then joined the board of directors of Huel, a £72 million food replacement company, as a non-executive director.[45] Later on, in 2021, Bartlett joined the BBC One investment show Dragons' Den.[46]

In September of 2023, Bartlett accompanied William, Prince of Wales on Royal visits in Bournemouth after being announced as an advocate of his foundation, Homewards.[47] During his early years Bartlett moonlighted as a rapper under the moniker "Lyricist".

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2023-11-29 . Taylor Swift Is Spotify's Most Streamed Artist of 2023 . 2023-12-01 . Billboard.
  2. Web site: Mantock . Rachel . 2021 . New investor Steven Bartlett says his digital background gives him 'an edge' on Dragons Den . 9 November 2021 . inews.co.uk . en. 8 June 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210608155833/https://inews.co.uk/essentials/lifestyle/new-investor-steven-bartlett-says-his-digital-background-gives-him-an-edge-on-dragons-den-1038471. live.
  3. Web site: 2021 . 28-year-old Steven Bartlett joins Dragons' Den as show's youngest ever Dragon . https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220525/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/dragons-den-steven-bartlett-social-chain-b1846870.html . 25 May 2022 . subscription . live. 9 November 2021 . . en . Isobel . Lewis.
  4. Web site: Burroughs . Callum . 19 January 2023 . Diary of a CEO host Steven Bartlett has raised a $100 million fund to back the next generation of Europe's unicorn founders . 19 March 2023 . Business Insider.
  5. Web site: Dragons' Den star Steven Bartlett launches $100m start-up fund to back new companies . 2024-11-23 . Sky News.
  6. Web site: Wares . Alan . 2023-09-07 . Steven Bartlett: the enigma - Platinum Media Group . 2023-09-15 . Platinum Media Group . en.
  7. 1298568550613909505. StevenBartlett. 28! Thank you for all of the birthday messages / DMs.. Steven Cliff. Bartlett. 2020-08-26. 2023-09-15.
  8. Web site: Steven Bartlett: from dropout to millionaire . The Week UK . en . Kate . Samuelson. 2 March 2022.
  9. News: How Steven Bartlett went from dropout to youngest ever Dragons' Den investor . Nadia . Khomami . . en. 6 January 2022.
  10. News: 5 things to know about The Social Chain CEO Steven Bartlett, the youngest ever Dragon . 17 October 2021 . UK Tech News . 2021 . Staff Reporter. 17 October 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211017123011/https://www.uktech.news/news/5-things-to-know-about-the-social-chain-ceo-steven-bartlett-the-youngest-ever-dragon-20210517 . live.
  11. Web site: Interview With Steve Bartlett, CEO of the Social Chain Group. . Scotty . 17 October 2021 . logros.co.uk . The Logros . 14 November 2019 . 5 January 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220105211337/https://www.logros.co.uk/the-logros-show/radio-interviews/interview-with-steve-bartlett/ . live.
  12. News: Dragon's Den newcomer Steven Bartlett's unorthodox rise to the top . plymouthherald.co.uk. en-GB. Hannah. Stephenson.
  13. Web site: 2021 . Steven Bartlett: 'If you want a successful business, you have to instil a culture of learning' . 9 November 2021 . gq-magazine.co.uk . . en-GB . Thomas . Barrie. 16 December 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211216073542/https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/lifestyle/article/steven-bartlett-interview. live.
  14. News: Prior . David . Co-founders Steven Bartlett and Dominic McGregor to leave Social Chain . 17 October 2021 . Prolific North . prolificnorth.co.uk . 17 August 2020 . 15 January 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220115220019/https://www.prolificnorth.co.uk/news/social-media-agency-news/2020/08/co-founders-steven-bartlett-and-dominic-mcgregor-leave-social . live.
  15. Web site: Anon . 2021 . Steven BARTLETT personal appointments . https://web.archive.org/web/20220128132541/https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/officers/nSH-Z3DXrfP2a2o0LbQ1iNZmSDE/appointments . 28 January 2022 . 9 November 2021 . gov.uk . . en . London.
  16. Web site: Social Chain agency links up with German retailer Lumaland . . 2023-09-14 .
  17. Web site: Steven Bartlett . 9 November 2021 . . en . Anon . 2020. 13 May 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200513095530/https://www.forbes.com/profile/steven-bartlett/. live.
  18. News: Why Steven Bartlett is not the tycoon he claimed . The Times . 14 February 2023.
  19. Web site: Expanding group completes upgrade to stock exchange's prime standard. Business Live. 2021-11-12. 2024-04-07.
  20. Web site: Beaty . Zoe . 2024-08-20 . Downfall of a CEO? The real reason Steven Bartlett became the man we love to hate . 2024-08-30 . The Independent . en.
  21. Web site: Kanter . Max Goldbart,Jake . 2024-11-22 . ‘The Diary Of A CEO’ Hits 1B Streams; Molly-Mae Lands Amazon Series; Jay Hunt Latest Chair Role – Global Briefs . 2024-11-22 . Deadline . en-US.
  22. Web site: Martin . Clive . 2024-08-23 . Steven Bartlett’s empire of bluff . 2024-08-30 . New Statesman . en-US.
  23. Web site: 2023-09-23 . Joe Rogan is UK's most popular podcast, new chart reveals . 2023-11-07 . the Guardian.
  24. Web site: Robinson . Jon . 2022-07-18 . Dragons' Den star Steven Bartlett 'really emotional' after agreeing latest deal . 2024-12-03 . Business Live . en.
  25. Web site: 2024-05-30 . Samsung partners with Steven Bartlett's ‘The Diary of a CEO’ podcast - Mobile Marketing Magazine . 2024-06-06.
  26. Web site: 2024-05-30 . Stephen Bartlett’s new Samsung TV Plus channel . 2024-06-06.
  27. Web site: Thirdweb raises $24M at a $160M valuation from Haun Ventures, Shopify and Coinbase for its web3 development kit. TechCrunch. Ingrid. Lunden. 25 August 2022. 19 March 2023.
  28. Web site: Mark Cuban backed Steven Bartlett's new Web3 startup in 2021. Now, Thirdweb just raised $24 million in a round led by Haun Ventures with this 11-slide pitch deck.. Business Insider. Callum. Burroughs. 25 August 2022. 19 March 2023.
  29. News: Prescott . Katie . 19 January 2023 . Dragon Steven Bartlett launches £100m fund for entrepreneurs . The Times . 19 March 2023.
  30. Web site: Hurley . James . 2024-05-03 . Steven Bartlett’s fund ‘kept potential investors in the dark’ . 2024-12-04 . www.thetimes.com . en.
  31. Web site: Dragons' Den star says BBC sponsorship rule breach was 'genuine oversight'. Lauren. Morris. 8 March 2022 . 15 February 2023 . Radio Times . en.
  32. Web site: . Huel Ltd . 16 February 2023 . www.asa.org.uk.
  33. Web site: Stewart . Rebecca . 2022-08-10 . Huel's Podcast Ad Ban Highlights Risks of Host-Read Promos . 2024-12-04 . en-US.
  34. Web site: 2024-08-14 . Steven Bartlett Huel and Zoe adverts banned by ASA . 2024-12-03 . BBC News . en-GB.
  35. Web site: 2024-08-14 . ASA bans Huel and Zoe ads for failing to disclose links to Steven Bartlett . 2024-12-04 . The Independent . en.
  36. Web site: 30 Under 30: Meet The European Media & Marketing Moguls Of Tomorrow. Forbes . 19 March 2023 . 17 March 2020. Alex. Wood.
  37. Web site: Happy Sexy Millionaire: Unexpected Truths about Fulfill… . 2023-10-12 . Goodreads . en.
  38. News: Stephenson . Hannah . Dragons' Den newcomer Steven Bartlett: I'm not particularly bothered about what other people think of me . The Irish News . irishnews.com . 30 June 2021 . en . 5 January 2022 . 5 January 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220105175544/https://www.irishnews.com/arts/books/2021/06/30/news/dragons-den-newcomer-steven-bartlett-i-m-not-particularly-bothered-about-what-other-people-think-of-me-2370027/ . live.
  39. Web site: The Diary of a CEO: The 33 Laws of Business and Life . 2023-10-12 . Goodreads . en.
  40. Web site: The British Book Awards. The Bookseller. 2024-04-30.
  41. Web site: The UK’s Nibbies: Books of the Year Shortlists. Publishing Perspectives. 2024-03-08. 2024-04-30.
  42. News: The Secret Teacher . 2 June 2018 . Secret Teacher: teaching children without play was soul-destroying . The Guardian . en.
  43. Web site: The Secret Teacher: Episode 3: Social media marketing magnate Steven Bartlett goes undercover at a cash-strapped school in Liverpool . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220114181032/https://www.channel4.com/programmes/the-secret-teacher/on-demand/67801-003 . 14 January 2022 . 14 January 2022 . channel4.com . Channel 4.
  44. Web site: Steven Bartlett net worth, girlfriend and everything else about him in 2022 . 7 May 2022 . Unifresher . en.
  45. Web site: Robinson . Jon . 9 February 2021 . Jon Robinson Social media guru Steven Bartlett joins fast-growing food replacement brand Huel . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220425022258/https://www.business-live.co.uk/technology/social-media-guru-steven-bartlett-19801817 . 25 April 2022 . 7 May 2022 . North West Business Editor . en.
  46. News: Virk . Kameron . 20 May 2021 . Dragons' Den: Why new Dragon Steven Bartlett won't be wearing a suit . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20211019132719/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/newsbeat-57179015 . 19 October 2021 . 17 October 2021 . bbc.co.uk . BBC News.
  47. News: McTaggart . India . 7 September 2023 . Watch: Prince William given surprise kiss by Gazza . 2023-09-08 . The Telegraph.

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