Dragons’ Den is under fire after the company “Bobba” came on screen to pitch their idea and new Dragon Simu Liu voiced his opinions.
Boba Dragons Den
October 12, 2024– Dragons’ Den is under fire online following a controversial pitch from Bobba. In the episode as shown in this TikTok video posted by user @cbcgem, we see Quebec City entrepreneurs from the company Bobba pitching their version of the drink to the dragons.
@cbcgem This bottled bubble tea business pitches to celebrity Dragon Simu Liu and the rest of the Dragons (????: Dragons’ Den) #dragonsden #simuliu
Dragons Den Bobba
They are seeking $1 million for 18% of their business from the dragons.
The entrepreneurs make claims about bubble tea in their pitch alleging that you can never be “quite sure about its contents.” Liu then chimes in to say that he is “quite sure” about its content but allows the entrepreneurs to finish their pitch.
The entrepreneurs allege that they have transformed the beloved beverage into a “convenient” and “healthier” ready-to-drink experience. They also allege that they are “disturbing” the market with this brand. They also shared their bubble tea and popping bobba products with the dragons to taste. Liu alleges that the drink tastes “fine.” He also claims that he is concerned with the idea of “disrupting” or “disturbing” bubble tea because there is an issue of “cultural appropriation.”
Manjit Minhas, another dragon on the panel, chimes in to seemingly ask Liu why he has these issues as she alleges that “there can be new takes on things.” She also alleges that “not everything has to be traditional.”
Liu claims, “There is an issue with taking something that is very distinctly Asian in its identity and ‘making it better,’ which is what I have an issue with.”
The entrepreneurs then allege that this is “not an ethical product anymore.”
Although Minhas ended up investing in the company at $1 million for 18% following this interaction, this sparked widespread controversy and discussion online, with people calling out Bobba and Minhas.
Below are some of the concerns from the comment section of the above TikTok video:
Simu Liu Dragons Den
Simu Liu is a new dragon in the latest season, as shown in this poster posted on @cbcdragon Instagram:
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Simu Liu Dragons Den Bobba
Liu recently came forward to address the controversy with this new Instagram story, asking for others not to threaten or harass people over the internet or in person following the alleged backlash Bobba and Minhas are seemingly getting online following the pitch.
He claimed that the entrepreneurs came on the show to pitch “in good faith” and that he disagreed with their decision-making. He states that he “stands by” his thoughts but does not believe that they deserve any “negative ill will.”
Dragons’ Den Instagram page also posted Liu’s message to their account here.
What do you think about the pitch and the controversy surrounding it going viral online?
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Published by HOLR Magazine
Image Credit: @cbcdragon, @simuliu Instagram, @cbcgem TikTok