It’s Dragons’ Den… for the TikTok generation: Five of Britain’s hottest stars launch bid to find new young entrepreneurs
Five of Britain’s hottest stars have launched a multi-million pound investment fund which they say could be a ‘cool, sexy version of Dragons’ Den’.
Love Island presenter Maya Jama, 31, comedian Jack Whitehall, 37, TV presenter Roman Kemp, 32, Oscar-winning actor Daniel Kaluuya, 36, and singer Tom Grennan, 30, have come together as The Artists Collective to support up-and-coming businesses.
They will use TikTok to help them find budding entrepreneurs, and sources claim their clout means they could scrap the former BBC show altogether.
A source said: ‘It’s a business investment, but for the TikTok generation – think Dragons’ Den but without the suit and tie. Instead, some cool young stars are investing their own money and adding their own profiles to new businesses.
‘They’re optimistic they can turn this into something really huge.’
Love Island presenter Maya Jama (pictured) teamed up with comedian Jack Whitehall and TV presenter Roman Kemp to support up-and-coming businesses
Artists Collective will use TikTok to help them find budding entrepreneurs (Stock Image)
If the venture is successful, they could replicate the success of leading US sports stars such as tennis champion Serena Williams and basketball hero LeBron James, who have earned billions of dollars from startups.
An insider said: ‘These guys have so much more to offer than just money; ‘They can also bring their fame and connections, which is more attractive to businesses than borrowing from a bank.’
In its first investments, Whitehall became the face of VIP ticket agency Seat Unique and the group is said to be closing deals worth up to £300,000 in 20 early-stage technology firms.
