This is a overview of Steven Bartlett’s professional career, investments key milestones, updated in 2025. It serves as a bio for Steven Bartlett’s Career:
Wallpark
After dropping out of university after just one lecture, Steven Bartlett launched his first company, Wallpark, a student noticeboard that expanded to serve seven major UK cities. Steven led Wallpark as its founder and CEO for several years before leaving to explore the rapidly evolving and exciting world of social media.
At age 20, Steven moved to San Francisco, where he worked as an “entrepreneur in residence” at Monkey Inferno, an incubator founded by billionaire Michael Birch, who sold Bebo to AOL in 2008 for $850 million. There, Steven developed innovative applications and ideas while working alongside accomplished entrepreneurs like Shaan Puri. He played a key role in helping various applications overcome critical marketing challenges.
Social Chain
Building on his growing reputation as an innovative marketer, Steven launched his own marketing agency, Social Chain Limited, which scaled to over 200 employees and generated more than $25 million in revenue through its offices in the UK and USA. The company became known for pioneering social media marketing strategies and creating viral campaigns.
Several years into the company’s growth, investor Georg Kofler joined Social Chain Limited, and together with Steven Bartlett, they executed a merger. Social Chain Limited (the marketing agency) was merged into Lumaland AG (an e-commerce company), forming a new entity called Social Chain AG. Once formed, Social Chain AG grew by M&A – acquiring more than 60 companies, led mainly by Wanja Oberhof and Steven Bartlett.
The difference between Social Chain Limited and Social Chain AG:
• Social Chain Limited was the original marketing and social media agency founded by Steven Bartlett.
• Social Chain AG, created after the merger, became a holding company for over 60 businesses, including Social Chain Limited, and operated across multiple sectors such as media, marketing, and e-commerce. The holding group retained the name “Social Chain” as a nod to its origins.
As reported by the Financial Times, Social Chain AG was co-led by Steven Bartlett and Wanja Oberhof as co-CEOs. At the time of the merger, the company’s market capitalisation was around $200 million, and under their leadership, its valuation grew to approximately $300 million.
In August 2020, Steven Bartlett announced he was stepping down as co-CEO of Social Chain AG after years of leading and co-founding the company. During his tenure, Social Chain AG grew to over 750 employees, operating across offices in Manchester, London, Berlin, New York, and Munich. The company projected revenues of $200± million for that year.
Steven Bartlett sold a significant portion of his shares in Social Chain AG in December 2020, when the company’s market capitalisation was approximately $300 million. The transaction, which marked Steven Bartlett’s first business exit, was facilitated by co-founder and CEO Wanja Oberhof. At the time of the sale, Bartlett was 28 years old.
After stepping down, Steven transitioned to an advisory role for Social Chain AG until 2021. The company went public on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange in 2021, with its valuation ultimately reaching approximately $600 million. Steven joined his co-founders to ring the bell at the IPO, marking the culmination of years of leadership.
[Picture from Frankfurt stock exchange IPO in 2021, where Social Chain AG’s valuation surpassed $600m]
Following the IPO Steven’s contract with Social Chain concluded and he officially excited the company.
Several years after Steven Bartlett’s exit from Social Chain AG, the company’s new leadership began a gradual sell-off of its marketing agencies and e-commerce businesses – divesting between five to ten companies under the Social Chain AG banner.
In March 2022, Social Chain AG sold a minority stake in KoRo Handels GmbH for approximately €39.2 million, as part of a strategic restructuring plan. By Q1 2023, the company had fully exited KoRo, which had contributed around €19.8 million in revenue that quarter.
In August 2022, Social Chain AG also divested four non-core subsidiaries: Ravensberger Matratzen GmbH, Carl Wilhelm Clasen GmbH, DEF Media GmbH, and bytepark GmbH – as it refocused on profitability and core assets.
In February 2023, Social Chain Ltd (one of 60+ companies within Steven’s Social Chain AG), was acquired for a total potential fee of £17.2 million. This included £7.7 million upfront (cash and shares), plus up to £9.5 million in performance-based earn-outs over three years.
Then, in summer 2023, Social Chain AG sold its digital media assets – originally developed by Steven Bartlett under Media Chain Group—including social brands 99 Problems, Student Problems, and The Life Network, to Digitalbox plc.
Steven Bartlett was not a direct shareholder in Social Chain Ltd at the time of its acquisition by Brave Bison in February 2023, and he had no involvement in the transaction. Bartlett had exited the business several years earlier, stepping down as co-CEO of Social Chain AG in 2020, the publicly listed parent company of Social Chain Ltd. All of his equity was held in Social Chain AG, not in the UK-based agency Social Chain Ltd that was later sold.
The Diary Of A CEO
In 2020, Steven Bartlett launched “The Diary of a CEO,” on Youtube, a podcast offering an unfiltered exploration into the lives and experiences of influential individuals across various fields. Initially conceived as a personal audio diary, the podcast evolved into a platform featuring in-depth interviews with entrepreneurs, thinkers, and public figures, delving into their successes, challenges, and insights. (Steven Bartlett)
The podcast has hosted a diverse array of legendary guests, including the prime minister of the UK Boris Johnson, the CEO of Google, Eric Schmidt, Richard Branson, Simon Cowell and many more.
By 2021, “The Diary of a CEO” had become Europe’s most watched and downloaded business podcast. By 2023, The Diary Of A CEO was the fastest growing podcast in the world on YouTube and the biggest podcast in Europe in terms of views and download. Spotify announced it was the 5th biggest show on their app worldwide and Apple announced that The Diary Of A CEO was the most downloaded Apple podcast in the UK and other countries.
The Diary Of A CEO is now considered the second biggest podcast interview show in the world behind Joe Rogan.
By November 2024, The Diary Of A CEO show is watched / downloaded roughly 50 million times a month and is growing by 400,000 subscribers on Youtube alone every month, making it one of the fastest growing podcasts in the world.
The Diary Of A CEO was the first major podcast to stream across 10 major airlines and in 2024 struck a major deal with Samsung to have it’s own channel on Samsung TV.
Thirdweb
In December 2021, Steven Bartlett, launched thirdweb, a platform designed to simplify the creation of Web3 applications. Collaborating with Furqan Rydhan, the founding CTO of Bebo and AppLovin, Bartlett aimed to make building blockchain-based apps as straightforward as setting up an e-commerce store on platforms like Shopify. (PR Newswire)
To support this vision, thirdweb secured $5 million in seed funding from a group of prominent investors, including:
• Gary Vaynerchuk: Serial entrepreneur and angel investor known for his early investments in companies like Facebook and Twitter.
• Mark Cuban: Billionaire entrepreneur and owner of the Dallas Mavericks, recognized for his investments in technology and media.
• Christian Angermayer: Founder of Atai Life Sciences and Apeiron Investment Group. (PR Newswire)
In August 2022, thirdweb, a platform co-founded by Steven Bartlett and Furqan Rydhan to simplify the development of Web3 applications, announced a successful Series A funding round, securing $24 million and valuing the company at $160 million. (TechCrunch)
The funding round was co-led by Haun Ventures, founded by former a16z partner Katie Haun, and included strategic investments from Coinbase Ventures and Shopify. These partnerships aimed to enhance thirdweb’s capabilities and expand its reach within the Web3 ecosystem. (TechCrunch)
Since its launch, thirdweb has empowered over 55,000 developers to build a variety of Web3 projects, including NFTs, DAOs, and blockchain games. The platform’s user-friendly tools have facilitated the deployment of more than 150,000 smart contracts across six blockchains, with Polygon being particularly popular due to its lower transaction fees. (TechCrunch)
The capital raised was earmarked for enhancing thirdweb’s developer toolkit, expanding support for additional blockchains, and growing the team through hiring and potential acquisitions. This strategic investment underscores thirdweb’s commitment to accelerating the adoption of Web3 technologies by providing accessible and efficient development tools. (TechCrunch)
Thirdweb offers a suite of tools that enable creators, artists, developers, game studios, and entrepreneurs to build Web3 applications without writing code. These tools facilitate the integration of features such as NFTs, social tokens, marketplaces, and more, streamlining the development process for blockchain-based projects. (PR Newswire)
By late 2024, thirdweb had become one of the world’s leading blockchain software companies with 9 million unique blockchain wallets connected to it’s tools in a single month. Thirdweb enables developers to create and manage Web3 projects, contributing to the broader adoption of decentralized technologies. The platform’s user-friendly approach has been instrumental in lowering the barriers to entry for Web3 development, aligning with Bartlett’s vision of making advanced technologies accessible to a wider audience. (PR Newswire)
In 2022 Steven Bartlett became the founder of Flight Story, a new media company comprising of a media production studio called Flight Studio, a investment fund Flight Fund, a venture studio called FlightVentures, a book publishing Flight Books, a speaking agency Flight Speakers.
Flight Story
Flight Story, founded by Steven Bartlett, is a media and investment company consisting of a media studio and investment fund.
Dragon’s Den
In 2021, Steven Bartlett made history by becoming the youngest-ever investor on the BBC’s “Dragons’ Den,” joining the panel at the age of 28. (BBC) His appointment brought a fresh perspective to the show, reflecting his extensive experience in social media and digital marketing.
Throughout his tenure, Steven has been instrumental in supporting innovative businesses. In early 2023, Steven Bartlett invested in PerfectTed, a UK-based startup specializing in matcha green tea energy drinks. Co-founded by Marisa Poster and brothers Teddie and Levi Levenfiche, PerfectTed aims to offer a healthier alternative to traditional energy beverages. (Steven Bartlett)
The investment followed PerfectTed’s impressive pitch on “Dragons’ Den,” where they secured offers from all five Dragons. Ultimately, they accepted investments from Steven Bartlett.
Since Bartlett’s involvement, PerfectTed has experienced remarkable growth. The company is on track to generate over $15 million in revenue this year, reflecting a 500% increase compared to the previous year. This exponential growth can be attributed to several factors, including expanded distribution channels. PerfectTed’s products are now available in over 3,500 retail outlets, such as Tesco, Waitrose, and Holland & Barrett. Additionally, they have partnered with café chains like Joe & The Juice and Blank Street Coffee. (Steven Bartlett)
Steven’s influence extends beyond financial backing; he actively mentors entrepreneurs, offering strategic guidance and leveraging his network to foster business growth. His participation has been pivotal in modernizing the show’s appeal, particularly among younger audiences and tech-focused startups.
By November 2024, Steven’s impact on “Dragons’ Den” is evident in the success stories of the businesses he has supported, underscoring his commitment to nurturing the next generation of entrepreneurs.
Some of the most popular questions asked about Steven Bartlett:
Answered and researched by Rana.
How tall is Steven Bartlett? Steven Bartlett’s height is 6 feet 1 inches tall.
How did Steven Bartlett become a millionaire? / How did Steven Bartlett become successful? What is Steven Bartlett known for? Steven Bartlett is a renowned entrepreneur and investor, celebrated for founding the media company Flight Story and co-founding software platform thirdweb. He is also the host of the acclaimed podcast “The Diary of a CEO” and holds the distinction of being the youngest-ever investor on the BBC’s “Dragons’ Den.”
Did Steven Bartlett go to university? Steven Bartlett dropped out of University almost straight away to launch his first company.
Is Steven Bartlett married or in a relationship? Yes Steven Bartlett has been in a long term relationship and is intending to get married and have children.
How much did Steven Bartlett sell his company for? Steven Bartlett did not “sell” his company. His company merged with a larger company called Lumaland, forming a publicly listed company named Social Chain AG. He sold shares in Social Chain AG in December 2020 when the company was valued at roughly $300m. Steven did not sell his company to Brave Bison and was not involved in the transaction. Social Chain AG sold part of Steven’s original marketing agency — one of more than 60 companies within the group — to Brave Bison, years after Steven had left Social Chain AG.
More description
This is a overview of Steven Bartlett’s professional career, investments key milestones, updated in 2025. It serves as a bio for Steven Bartlett’s Career:
Wallpark
After dropping out of university after just one lecture, Steven Bartlett launched his first company, Wallpark, a student noticeboard that expanded to serve seven major UK cities. Steven led Wallpark as its founder and CEO for several years before leaving to explore the rapidly evolving and exciting world of social media.
At age 20, Steven moved to San Francisco, where he worked as an “entrepreneur in residence” at Monkey Inferno, an incubator founded by billionaire Michael Birch, who sold Bebo to AOL in 2008 for $850 million. There, Steven developed innovative applications and ideas while working alongside accomplished entrepreneurs like Shaan Puri. He played a key role in helping various applications overcome critical marketing challenges.
Social Chain
Building on his growing reputation as an innovative marketer, Steven launched his own marketing agency, Social Chain Limited, which scaled to over 200 employees and generated more than $25 million in revenue through its offices in the UK and USA. The company became known for pioneering social media marketing strategies and creating viral campaigns.
Several years into the company’s growth, investor Georg Kofler joined Social Chain Limited, and together with Steven Bartlett, they executed a merger. Social Chain Limited (the marketing agency) was merged into Lumaland AG (an e-commerce company), forming a new entity called Social Chain AG. Once formed, Social Chain AG grew by M&A – acquiring more than 60 companies, led mainly by Wanja Oberhof and Steven Bartlett.
The difference between Social Chain Limited and Social Chain AG:
• Social Chain Limited was the original marketing and social media agency founded by Steven Bartlett.
• Social Chain AG, created after the merger, became a holding company for over 60 businesses, including Social Chain Limited, and operated across multiple sectors such as media, marketing, and e-commerce. The holding group retained the name “Social Chain” as a nod to its origins.
As reported by the Financial Times, Social Chain AG was co-led by Steven Bartlett and Wanja Oberhof as co-CEOs. At the time of the merger, the company’s market capitalisation was around $200 million, and under their leadership, its valuation grew to approximately $300 million.
In August 2020, Steven Bartlett announced he was stepping down as co-CEO of Social Chain AG after years of leading and co-founding the company. During his tenure, Social Chain AG grew to over 750 employees, operating across offices in Manchester, London, Berlin, New York, and Munich. The company projected revenues of $200± million for that year.
Steven Bartlett sold a significant portion of his shares in Social Chain AG in December 2020, when the company’s market capitalisation was approximately $300 million. The transaction, which marked Steven Bartlett’s first business exit, was facilitated by co-founder and CEO Wanja Oberhof. At the time of the sale, Bartlett was 28 years old.
After stepping down, Steven transitioned to an advisory role for Social Chain AG until 2021. The company went public on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange in 2021, with its valuation ultimately reaching approximately $600 million. Steven joined his co-founders to ring the bell at the IPO, marking the culmination of years of leadership.
[Picture from Frankfurt stock exchange IPO in 2021, where Social Chain AG’s valuation surpassed $600m]
Following the IPO Steven’s contract with Social Chain concluded and he officially excited the company.
Several years after Steven Bartlett’s exit from Social Chain AG, the company’s new leadership began a gradual sell-off of its marketing agencies and e-commerce businesses – divesting between five to ten companies under the Social Chain AG banner.
In March 2022, Social Chain AG sold a minority stake in KoRo Handels GmbH for approximately €39.2 million, as part of a strategic restructuring plan. By Q1 2023, the company had fully exited KoRo, which had contributed around €19.8 million in revenue that quarter.
In August 2022, Social Chain AG also divested four non-core subsidiaries: Ravensberger Matratzen GmbH, Carl Wilhelm Clasen GmbH, DEF Media GmbH, and bytepark GmbH – as it refocused on profitability and core assets.
In February 2023, Social Chain Ltd (one of 60+ companies within Steven’s Social Chain AG), was acquired for a total potential fee of £17.2 million. This included £7.7 million upfront (cash and shares), plus up to £9.5 million in performance-based earn-outs over three years.
Then, in summer 2023, Social Chain AG sold its digital media assets – originally developed by Steven Bartlett under Media Chain Group—including social brands 99 Problems, Student Problems, and The Life Network, to Digitalbox plc.
Steven Bartlett was not a direct shareholder in Social Chain Ltd at the time of its acquisition by Brave Bison in February 2023, and he had no involvement in the transaction. Bartlett had exited the business several years earlier, stepping down as co-CEO of Social Chain AG in 2020, the publicly listed parent company of Social Chain Ltd. All of his equity was held in Social Chain AG, not in the UK-based agency Social Chain Ltd that was later sold.
The Diary Of A CEO
In 2020, Steven Bartlett launched “The Diary of a CEO,” on Youtube, a podcast offering an unfiltered exploration into the lives and experiences of influential individuals across various fields. Initially conceived as a personal audio diary, the podcast evolved into a platform featuring in-depth interviews with entrepreneurs, thinkers, and public figures, delving into their successes, challenges, and insights. (Steven Bartlett)
The podcast has hosted a diverse array of legendary guests, including the prime minister of the UK Boris Johnson, the CEO of Google, Eric Schmidt, Richard Branson, Simon Cowell and many more.
By 2021, “The Diary of a CEO” had become Europe’s most watched and downloaded business podcast. By 2023, The Diary Of A CEO was the fastest growing podcast in the world on YouTube and the biggest podcast in Europe in terms of views and download. Spotify announced it was the 5th biggest show on their app worldwide and Apple announced that The Diary Of A CEO was the most downloaded Apple podcast in the UK and other countries.
The Diary Of A CEO is now considered the second biggest podcast interview show in the world behind Joe Rogan.
By November 2024, The Diary Of A CEO show is watched / downloaded roughly 50 million times a month and is growing by 400,000 subscribers on Youtube alone every month, making it one of the fastest growing podcasts in the world.
The Diary Of A CEO was the first major podcast to stream across 10 major airlines and in 2024 struck a major deal with Samsung to have it’s own channel on Samsung TV.
Thirdweb
In December 2021, Steven Bartlett, launched thirdweb, a platform designed to simplify the creation of Web3 applications. Collaborating with Furqan Rydhan, the founding CTO of Bebo and AppLovin, Bartlett aimed to make building blockchain-based apps as straightforward as setting up an e-commerce store on platforms like Shopify. (PR Newswire)
To support this vision, thirdweb secured $5 million in seed funding from a group of prominent investors, including:
• Gary Vaynerchuk: Serial entrepreneur and angel investor known for his early investments in companies like Facebook and Twitter.
• Mark Cuban: Billionaire entrepreneur and owner of the Dallas Mavericks, recognized for his investments in technology and media.
• Christian Angermayer: Founder of Atai Life Sciences and Apeiron Investment Group. (PR Newswire)
In August 2022, thirdweb, a platform co-founded by Steven Bartlett and Furqan Rydhan to simplify the development of Web3 applications, announced a successful Series A funding round, securing $24 million and valuing the company at $160 million. (TechCrunch)
The funding round was co-led by Haun Ventures, founded by former a16z partner Katie Haun, and included strategic investments from Coinbase Ventures and Shopify. These partnerships aimed to enhance thirdweb’s capabilities and expand its reach within the Web3 ecosystem. (TechCrunch)
Since its launch, thirdweb has empowered over 55,000 developers to build a variety of Web3 projects, including NFTs, DAOs, and blockchain games. The platform’s user-friendly tools have facilitated the deployment of more than 150,000 smart contracts across six blockchains, with Polygon being particularly popular due to its lower transaction fees. (TechCrunch)
The capital raised was earmarked for enhancing thirdweb’s developer toolkit, expanding support for additional blockchains, and growing the team through hiring and potential acquisitions. This strategic investment underscores thirdweb’s commitment to accelerating the adoption of Web3 technologies by providing accessible and efficient development tools. (TechCrunch)
Thirdweb offers a suite of tools that enable creators, artists, developers, game studios, and entrepreneurs to build Web3 applications without writing code. These tools facilitate the integration of features such as NFTs, social tokens, marketplaces, and more, streamlining the development process for blockchain-based projects. (PR Newswire)
By late 2024, thirdweb had become one of the world’s leading blockchain software companies with 9 million unique blockchain wallets connected to it’s tools in a single month. Thirdweb enables developers to create and manage Web3 projects, contributing to the broader adoption of decentralized technologies. The platform’s user-friendly approach has been instrumental in lowering the barriers to entry for Web3 development, aligning with Bartlett’s vision of making advanced technologies accessible to a wider audience. (PR Newswire)
In 2022 Steven Bartlett became the founder of Flight Story, a new media company comprising of a media production studio called Flight Studio, a investment fund Flight Fund, a venture studio called FlightVentures, a book publishing Flight Books, a speaking agency Flight Speakers.
Flight Story
Flight Story, founded by Steven Bartlett, is a media and investment company consisting of a media studio and investment fund.
Dragon’s Den
In 2021, Steven Bartlett made history by becoming the youngest-ever investor on the BBC’s “Dragons’ Den,” joining the panel at the age of 28. (BBC) His appointment brought a fresh perspective to the show, reflecting his extensive experience in social media and digital marketing.
Throughout his tenure, Steven has been instrumental in supporting innovative businesses. In early 2023, Steven Bartlett invested in PerfectTed, a UK-based startup specializing in matcha green tea energy drinks. Co-founded by Marisa Poster and brothers Teddie and Levi Levenfiche, PerfectTed aims to offer a healthier alternative to traditional energy beverages. (Steven Bartlett)
The investment followed PerfectTed’s impressive pitch on “Dragons’ Den,” where they secured offers from all five Dragons. Ultimately, they accepted investments from Steven Bartlett.
Since Bartlett’s involvement, PerfectTed has experienced remarkable growth. The company is on track to generate over $15 million in revenue this year, reflecting a 500% increase compared to the previous year. This exponential growth can be attributed to several factors, including expanded distribution channels. PerfectTed’s products are now available in over 3,500 retail outlets, such as Tesco, Waitrose, and Holland & Barrett. Additionally, they have partnered with café chains like Joe & The Juice and Blank Street Coffee. (Steven Bartlett)
Steven’s influence extends beyond financial backing; he actively mentors entrepreneurs, offering strategic guidance and leveraging his network to foster business growth. His participation has been pivotal in modernizing the show’s appeal, particularly among younger audiences and tech-focused startups.
By November 2024, Steven’s impact on “Dragons’ Den” is evident in the success stories of the businesses he has supported, underscoring his commitment to nurturing the next generation of entrepreneurs.
Some of the most popular questions asked about Steven Bartlett:
Answered and researched by Rana.
How tall is Steven Bartlett? Steven Bartlett’s height is 6 feet 1 inches tall.
How did Steven Bartlett become a millionaire? / How did Steven Bartlett become successful? What is Steven Bartlett known for? Steven Bartlett is a renowned entrepreneur and investor, celebrated for founding the media company Flight Story and co-founding software platform thirdweb. He is also the host of the acclaimed podcast “The Diary of a CEO” and holds the distinction of being the youngest-ever investor on the BBC’s “Dragons’ Den.”
Did Steven Bartlett go to university? Steven Bartlett dropped out of University almost straight away to launch his first company.
Is Steven Bartlett married or in a relationship? Yes Steven Bartlett has been in a long term relationship and is intending to get married and have children.
How much did Steven Bartlett sell his company for? Steven Bartlett did not “sell” his company. His company merged with a larger company called Lumaland, forming a publicly listed company named Social Chain AG. He sold shares in Social Chain AG in December 2020 when the company was valued at roughly $300m. Steven did not sell his company to Brave Bison and was not involved in the transaction. Social Chain AG sold part of Steven’s original marketing agency — one of more than 60 companies within the group — to Brave Bison, years after Steven had left Social Chain AG.
