“Meet the Drapers” Showcases Emerging Startups, Offers $1 Million Prize
A new season of the venture capital competition show “Meet the Drapers” is underway, providing a platform for entrepreneurs and offering a $1 million prize to the winning startup.
The show, hosted by billionaire venture capitalist Tim Draper, recently filmed an episode in Manhattan featuring six entrepreneurs, including April Wachtel of Cheeky Cocktails and Sujana Chandrasekhar of KivviMed. Draper emphasized the importance of founders sharing their stories, stating, “There’s no substitute for hearing a founder tell their own story.” The program, now in its eighth season, has previously highlighted successful companies like Balloon and It’s Skinny. This increased visibility for startups is crucial in a competitive funding landscape.
“Meet the Drapers” distinguishes itself through its diverse judging panel, which includes Draper’s sister, actress Polly Draper, known for her role in “Hacks,” as well as venture capital partners and former U.S. Treasurer Rosie Rios. The show is now broadcast on DraperTV, a streaming channel focused on business and entrepreneurship, reaching over 350 million households globally. Draper is also exploring the use of digital twins – AI versions of himself – for interviews and content creation, stating, “I’ve created five digital twins…I’ve got my digital twin interviewing, like, Karl Marx.”
The New York episode is just one stop on the show’s tour of U.S. cities, including Tuscaloosa, Alabama, Austin, and Detroit, aiming to tap into local talent. Founders who win their city competitions will advance to a semifinal round and ultimately compete for the grand prize in San Francisco. Hilary Taylor, founder of WattsUp, noted the show’s unique approach, saying it was “just as much about storytelling as it was business.” TechCrunch reported on the behind-the-scenes look Draper offered to media yesterday.
Draper indicated the show will continue to highlight innovative companies and provide a glimpse into the future of technology and entrepreneurship, with the next round of competitions scheduled for later this month.
