Steven Bartlett, a British entrepreneur and investor, has made a name for himself as the youngest-ever panelist on BBC’s Dragons’ Den and the mastermind behind the chart-topping podcast The Diary of a CEO. Known for his business acumen and compelling personal branding, Bartlett’s wealth has soared over the years. As of 2025, his net worth is estimated to have grown significantly from the £71 million reported by Forbes when he was just 26. In this article, we explore Steven Bartlett’s rise to success, his business ventures, investments, and the controversies surrounding his podcast.
Early Life and Education
Steven Bartlett was born in 1992 in Botswana but moved to Plymouth, England, at the age of two. Raised in a working-class family, Bartlett’s early life was marked by a strong entrepreneurial spirit and a determination to defy the odds. He attended Manchester Metropolitan University but dropped out in his first year to pursue his business ideas. This bold move set the stage for a series of successful ventures that would eventually make him a multi-millionaire.
Bartlett’s first entrepreneurial endeavor was Wallpark, an online platform that allowed students to share events and sell textbooks. Although this project didn’t turn him into an overnight success, it laid the groundwork for his next big venture: Social Chain.
Building Wealth with Social Chain
In 2014, at just 22 years old, Steven Bartlett co-founded Social Chain with Dominic McGregor. The marketing agency quickly gained traction by harnessing the power of social media to build brands and engage audiences. At its peak, Social Chain worked with global giants such as Apple, McDonald’s, and KFC, generating millions in revenue.
In 2019, Social Chain went public on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange after merging with the German online retailer Lumaland AG. The newly formed The Social Chain AG was valued at over $200 million, significantly boosting Bartlett’s net worth. However, in 2020, at the age of 27, Bartlett stepped down as co-CEO to explore other ventures. In 2023, media group Brave Bison acquired The Social Chain AG for £7.7 million. It remains unclear how much Bartlett profited from this sale, but his decision to step away was clearly part of a larger strategy.
The Diary of a CEO: A Podcast Phenomenon
In the midst of running Social Chain, Bartlett launched The Diary of a CEO as a “one-off experiment”. The podcast, however, quickly took off, attracting high-profile guests such as Boris Johnson, Simon Cowell, and Michael Bublé. By January 2025, the podcast had amassed 8.96 million subscribers and reached a milestone of one billion listens across Apple, Spotify, and YouTube — making it the first UK-produced show to do so.
According to Bartlett, the podcast generates around $1.2 million annually. In 2023, he expanded the brand with the release of his book The Diary of a CEO: The 33 Laws of Business and Life, which became a Sunday Times bestseller. This followed the success of his first book, Happy Sexy Millionaire, also a bestseller in 2021. Bartlett’s ability to monetize his personal brand and podcast has significantly bolstered his net worth.
Investments and Business Ventures
After stepping down from Social Chain, Steven Bartlett shifted his focus to investments and venture capitalism. In 2021, he co-founded Thirdweb, a software platform that helps entrepreneurs build and manage web3 applications. Backed by Coinbase and Shopify, Thirdweb was valued at $160 million in 2022 and reportedly generated over $1.5 million in weekly revenue.
Additionally, Bartlett launched Flight Group, an investment firm with a diverse portfolio spanning biotech, blockchain, technology, health, and space. The group includes:
- Flight Fund: Focuses on investments in innovative sectors.
- Flight Story: A marketing agency leveraging Bartlett’s expertise.
- Flight Studio: Produces podcasts and media content, building on the success of The Diary of a CEO.
Bartlett’s diversified investment strategy showcases a keen eye for high-growth sectors, further enhancing his financial standing.
Controversies Surrounding The Diary of a CEO
While The Diary of a CEO has been a financial and branding success, it has not been without controversy. A recent investigation by the BBC World Service accused the podcast of amplifying health misinformation. An analysis of 15 health-related episodes revealed around 14 potentially harmful claims per episode, including unverified endorsements of diets as cancer treatments.
Bartlett’s production company, Flight Studio, responded by criticizing the report’s focus on a small sample of episodes, arguing that the podcast’s goal is to present a wide range of perspectives. The controversy, while damaging, has not significantly dented the podcast’s popularity or its earnings.
Steven Bartlett on Dragons’ Den
In 2021, at 28, Steven Bartlett became the youngest-ever panelist on Dragons’ Den, bringing a fresh perspective to the show. Known for his direct yet supportive approach, Bartlett has pledged nearly £2 million in investments across various start-ups featured on the show. His involvement has not only amplified his public profile but also expanded his investment portfolio.
Bartlett’s decisions on the show reflect a preference for scalable tech-driven businesses, aligning with his investments in Thirdweb and other innovative ventures. His popularity on Dragons’ Den has also contributed to the growing audience for his podcast, creating a synergistic effect that benefits all his ventures.
Personal Life and Net Worth in 2025
While Steven Bartlett is relatively private about his personal life, his entrepreneurial journey is an open book. Known for his candid discussions on mental health, failure, and resilience, Bartlett’s transparency has resonated with a global audience. As of 2025, his net worth is believed to have grown substantially beyond the £71 million reported by Forbes when he was 26, although exact figures remain speculative.
Bartlett’s wealth is a combination of revenue from The Diary of a CEO, investments in high-growth tech companies, and returns from his diversified portfolio under Flight Group. His ability to pivot from a traditional business model to a media-driven and investment-focused strategy illustrates a sophisticated understanding of wealth creation.
The Future of Steven Bartlett’s Empire
Looking forward, Steven Bartlett’s financial trajectory appears robust. His investments in emerging sectors such as blockchain, web3, and health tech suggest a continued upward trend. Meanwhile, the sustained popularity of The Diary of a CEO and potential expansions into other media formats could add significant revenue streams.
His ability to balance media influence with strategic investments positions Bartlett as not just a successful entrepreneur but a new-age media mogul. As he continues to expand his portfolio, Bartlett’s net worth is expected to climb further, solidifying his status as one of the most influential young entrepreneurs in the UK.
Conclusion
Steven Bartlett’s journey from a university dropout to a multi-millionaire entrepreneur is a testament to his business acumen, resilience, and adaptability. His investments, media ventures, and ability to leverage personal branding have made him a standout figure in the business world. As his empire continues to expand, Bartlett’s wealth and influence seem set to grow, making him a force to be reckoned with in both the investment and media landscapes.
