Crowdfunding is removing barriers like never before. What was once viewed as isolated industry for a selected few is now accessible to everyone. And we’re thrilled to be part of a TV show that promotes entrepreneurship and enables greater diversity among both founders and investors. — Our CEO, Ken
We're excited to announce that "Meet the Drapers", the new reality investing TV series, premiered this Sunday November 19. Republic is the show’s official investment platform. The show aired in partnership with Sony Entertainment Television, Republic, and the Draper Family.
On the show, up-and-coming startups pitch their ideas to three generations of top-tier venture capitalists from Silicon Valley — the Draper family, Bill Draper, Tim Draper, and Jesse Draper.
Bill Draper began his venture capital career in 1959 as one of America's first venture capitalists and is currently Managing Director of Draper Richards L.P. Bill’s son, Tim Draper has been named one of Worth Magazine’s 100 Most Powerful People in Finance and is the founding partner of Draper Associates and DFJ. His original suggestion to use viral marketing as a method for spreading a software application from customer to customer was instrumental to the success of Hotmail, Skype, and others. Tim’s daughter, Jesse Draper has followed in the family footsteps, betting big on female founded and led companies through her new venture capital fund Halogen Ventures.
We care about this show because of what it means for founders and for a whole new class of investors — the rest of the country. When SEC regulations legalized equity crowdfunding in 2016, they didn’t just open a new funding channel for startups. They made it possible for startups to build deeper relationships with their customers and users, the people they serve -- and for those regular people to support the missions and companies they believe in. We care about Meet the Drapers because it’s more than an investing show: it’s about a world where everyone can invest in the future they believe in. In entrepreneurship with a mission that means something to them. In startups that will change the world for the better.
That’s why these founders aren’t just pitching the Drapers — they’re also pitching millions of viewers to invest through their raising page on Republic.
It is finally possible for the individual investor to participate in the funding of exciting young ventures. Meet the Drapers allows viewers to watch us interview entrepreneurs and then, invest in companies that have the potential to change the world. — Tim Draper
You can check out the startups on the show this season and invest in them on Republic here.
If you’re building a mission-driven, tech-enabled startup that’s seeing traction, you can apply for the chance to pitch the Drapers — and millions of potential investors and customers here. Applications for Season 2 are now open.
This educational article is provided by Republic to help its users understand this area of the market, it should not be construed as investment advice as it is impersonal, disinterested and was produced by Republic for Republic’s users, without remuneration received or expected.