Steven Bartlett, the 33-year-old British-Nigerian powerhouse behind The Diary of a CEO podcast, is no stranger to defying odds. Born in Botswana and raised in Plymouth, England, he's transformed from a dropout entrepreneur into a media mogul commanding a hyper-loyal audience of millions.
Now, with a fresh eight-figure investment round valuing his holding company Steven.com at $425 million, Bartlett is positioning himself to build what he calls "the Disney of the creator economy." The deal, led by Slow Ventures and Apeiron Investment Group, marks Europe's largest-ever funding for a creator-focused business and underscores the explosive potential of influencer-led ventures.
Announced on October 27, 2025, the investment allows Bartlett to retain over 90% ownership while fueling global expansion. "We're watching, in slow motion but also very quickly, the unbundling of institutions," Bartlett told the Forbes Creator Upfronts earlier this month.
His vision? A vertically integrated empire blending media, technology, and commerce tailored for creators - think Disney, but powered by viral TikToks and AI analytics instead of animated mice.
The Podcast That Built an Empire
Bartlett's ascent began with The Diary of a CEO, launched in 2017 as a raw, unfiltered dive into success, failure, and mindset. What started as a side hustle exploded into a global sensation: Spotify Wrapped ranked it the fifth most popular podcast worldwide in 2024, boasting a 500% annual growth rate and guests like Michelle Obama, MrBeast, and Jürgen Klopp. Its companion channel, *Behind the Diary*, has cultivated a fiercely devoted community, turning listeners into evangelists who fuel Bartlett's broader ecosystem.
This content flywheel powers everything else. "A meticulously data-driven entrepreneur whose content, deep community, and portfolio of companies create a powerful flywheel," as Megan Lightcap, Partner at Slow Ventures, put it. The podcast isn't just entertainment—it's a talent magnet, drawing in collaborators and investors who see Bartlett as the blueprint for creator monetization.
Flight Story: Where Creators Meet Brands
At the heart of Steven.com is Flight Story, Bartlett's media and investment powerhouse founded in 2023. This agency-cum-studio works with top-tier creators and brands, producing high-impact content like video podcasts fronted by Trevor Noah, Davina McCall, and Paul C. Brunson. Flight Story doesn't just create; it scales: acquiring IP, building commercial infrastructure, and incubating ventures to turn one-off hits into sustainable businesses.
Complementing it is Flight Fund, a $100 million vehicle launched in 2023 to back European startups. Investments include healthtech ZOE and, notably, PerfectTed - a Dragon's Den pitch that ballooned to over $190 million in value, one of the show's biggest wins.
Bartlett's portfolio now spans 40+ companies, from SpaceX and Whoop to Replit and MrBeast's projects, blending blue-chip stability with high-growth bets.
Recent Power Moves: Stan, Ketone-IQ, and Flightcast
Bartlett's momentum has been relentless. Just six months ago, in May 2025, he co-acquired Stan Store, a U.S.-based e-commerce platform for creators. Stan, which helps influencers launch online shops without Shopify-level complexity, now generates $30 million in monthly recurring revenue and $300 million in gross merchandise value. It's a linchpin for creator commerce, proving Bartlett's knack for spotting undervalued gems.
In September 2025, he dove into consumer health with a stake in Ketone-IQ, a ketone drink distributed nationwide at Target and Sprouts. Then, in October, alongside ex-MrBeast engineer Roxcodes, he unveiled Flightcast: an AI-powered platform for video podcasters.
It offers distribution, analytics, and growth tools - think advanced audience insights and automated clipping - to supercharge shows like The Diary of a CEO. "Flightcast brings together all the tools we built to help us grow," Bartlett said in a press release.
These aren't side hustles; they're synergistic bets on the $528 billion creator economy projected by 2030. As Christian Angermayer of Apeiron noted, "Influence is flowing to individuals at unprecedented speed and scale."
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The Investment: Fuel for a Creator Disney
Slow Ventures' bet - part of their $60 million Creator Fund - highlights Bartlett's edge: eclectic, data-backed growth that transcends viral fame. The fund has backed diverse talents like book influencer John Fish and woodworker Jonathan Katz-Moses, but Bartlett represents a "high-value vertical" where media meets muscle. With offices in London, Manchester, LA, and New York employing 100+ staff, Steven.com is already a transatlantic force.
The cash infusion targets scaling: enhancing Flightcast's AI, expanding Flight Story's talent roster, and incubating more creator ventures. Bartlett envisions a "global brand" where creators own their IP, commerce, and communities—unbundling traditional media giants one algorithm at a time.
It's ambitious, but his track record speaks volumes: From selling Social Chain for $100 million at 27 to Dragons' Den stardom since 2021, he's mastered the creator playbook.
Critics might point to past controversies - like ASA slaps for undisclosed sponsorships or Dragons' Den flak over "Ear Seeds"—but Bartlett's response is action: transparency via data and community trust. As he joins the ranks of Europe's richest young moguls, this $425 million milestone isn't a peak; it's rocket fuel.
In a world where creators like Rhett & Link and MrBeast are flexing entrepreneurial biceps, Bartlett isn't just riding the wave - he's engineering the tide. The Disney of creators? If anyone can animate it, it's this podcast dragon.
Author: Slava Vasipenok
Founder and CEO of QUASA (quasa.io) - Daily insights on Web3, AI, Crypto, and Freelance. Stay updated on finance, technology trends, and creator tools - with sources and real value.
Innovative entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience in IT, fintech, and blockchain. Specializes in decentralized solutions for freelancing, helping to overcome the barriers of traditional finance, especially in developing regions.
This is not financial or investment advice. Always do your own research (DYOR).
