Introduction

The entrepreneurial journey of Steven Bartlett represents one of the most remarkable success stories in modern British business. From dropping out of university at 19 to becoming the youngest investor on Dragons Den, Steven Bartlett has built an empire that spans social media marketing, podcasting, venture capital, and digital media. The question “What is Steven Bartlett net worth?” has become increasingly popular as his influence continues to grow across multiple industries.

As of 2025, how much is Steven Bartlett worth has been a topic of considerable interest, with estimates ranging from £29 million to £96 million depending on the source. This wide range reflects the complexity of his business interests and the rapidly changing nature of his investment portfolio. Understanding how did Steven Bartlett made his money requires exploring his diverse ventures, from his groundbreaking work with Social Chain to his wildly successful Diary of a CEO podcast.

Steven Bartlett

Entrepreneur, Investor & Podcaster

👤Full Name	Steven Clifford Bartlett
📅Date of Birth	August 26, 1992
🎂Age	32 years old (as of December 2025)
📍Birthplace	Botswana, Africa
🌍Nationality	British
🏠Current Residence	Los Angeles, California, USA (as of 2025)
👨‍👩‍👦Ethnicity	Nigerian and Botswanan heritage
📏Height	5’10” (178 cm)
🎓Education	Manchester Metropolitan University (dropped out after one lecture)
💼Occupation	Entrepreneur, Investor, Podcaster, Author, TV Personality
💰Net Worth	£29-96 million ($40-120 million USD) – estimates vary
💑Relationship Status	In a relationship with Melanie Vaz Lopes
👶Children	None
🏢Companies Founded	Social Chain (2014), Flight Story, Flight Fund, Thirdweb (co-founder)
🎙️Notable Work	The Diary of a CEO Podcast (1 billion+ streams)
📺TV Appearances	Dragons’ Den (2021-present) – Youngest Dragon ever
📚Books Published	“Happy Sexy Millionaire” (2021), “The Diary of a CEO: The 33 Laws of Business and Life” (2023)
🎯Notable Investments	Huel, Zoe, Thirdweb, Stan Store, and 20+ startups via Flight Fund
🏆Major Achievements	Youngest CEO of a publicly listed company, Forbes Top Creators 2025, #2 Podcast on Spotify Wrapped 2025
📱Social Media	25+ million followers across platforms

Who is Steven Bartlett?

For those wondering who is Steven Bartlett, he’s a British-Nigerian entrepreneur, investor, author, and podcaster who has redefined what it means to build a business in the digital age. Born on August 26, 1992, in Botswana, Steven Bartlett moved to Plymouth, England, with his family at age two. Growing up, Steven Bartlett parents provided him with a unique perspective on hard work and determination. His mother left school at age seven and could not read or write, while his father worked as a structural engineer.

The question of how old is Steven Bartlett is often asked by those curious about his achievements at such a young age. At 32 years old (turning 33 in August 2025), he has accomplished more than most entrepreneurs achieve in a lifetime. His early life in Plymouth shaped his entrepreneurial mindset, though he faced challenges, including expulsion from Plymstock School during sixth form.

After briefly enrolling at Manchester Metropolitan University, where does Steven Bartlett live became less important than what he could build. He dropped out after attending just one lecture, a decision that would prove pivotal to his future success. This bold move set the stage for understanding how did Steven Bartlett get rich—through risk-taking, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to his vision.

The Social Chain Empire

The story of what does Steven Bartlett do begins with Social Chain, the company that launched his career into the stratosphere. In 2014, at just 22 years old, Steven Bartlett co-founded Social Chain with Dominic McGregor. The social media marketing agency was born in his Manchester bedroom and quickly grew into a powerhouse that connected major brands with audiences through innovative social media strategies.

Social Chain worked with some of the world’s biggest companies, including Apple, McDonald’s, and KFC. The agency’s unique approach to social media marketing set it apart in an increasingly crowded marketplace. By understanding how to leverage viral content and community building, Steven Bartlett transformed Social Chain into a multi-million-pound enterprise.

By age 23, he had achieved millionaire status, answering the question of how dteven Bartlett make his money in its earliest form. The company went public through a merger with German retailer Lumaland in 2019, becoming The Social Chain AG. At the time of the merger, the company was valued at €186 million, and by 2021, its valuation on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange reached an impressive $600 million.

Steven Bartlett stepped down as CEO in December 2020 to pursue other opportunities, though he retained a significant shareholding. In a surprising twist, Social Chain was reportedly acquired by Brave Bison in February 2023 for £7.7 million, a figure that raised eyebrows given its previous valuations. Despite this, Steven Bartlett book deals, investments, and other ventures had already diversified his income streams substantially.

Flight Story and Flight Fund

Beyond Social Chain, Steven Bartlett built Flight Story, a creative content production agency that has become a cornerstone of his business empire. Flight Story encompasses multiple divisions, including Flight Studio (which produces the Diary of a CEO podcast), Flight Fund, Flight Books, and Flight Story Fund.

The Flight Fund represents a $100 million investment vehicle focused on technology, blockchain, biotech, health, commerce, and space sectors. The fund’s strategy involves taking small stakes at discounted valuations in exchange for support from previous founders who serve as limited partners. This approach has allowed Steven Bartlett to invest in approximately 20 companies, building a diverse portfolio of high-growth startups.

Notable investments in his portfolio include Thirdweb, a Web3 development platform where Steven Bartlett serves as a co-founder and board member. Within nine months of launching, Thirdweb raised $5 million in seed funding and an additional $24 million in Series A funding, valuing the company at $160 million. This demonstrates Steven Bartlett’s ability to identify and nurture promising technology ventures.

His investment philosophy focuses on identifying disruptive technologies and consumer brands that align with his personal values and expertise. The returns from these investments have contributed significantly to answering how much is Steven Bartlett worth in 2025.

The Diary of a CEO Podcast

Perhaps no single venture has elevated Steven Bartlett’s profile more than his podcast. The Diary of a CEO Steven Bartlett launched in 2017 as what he described as a “one-off experiment.” Today, it stands as one of the world’s most popular podcasts, with more than 10 million YouTube subscribers and approximately 25 million social media followers.

The Steven Bartlett podcast features in-depth conversations with high-profile guests ranging from Michelle Obama and Boris Johnson to Jimmy Fallon and Gary Neville. In November 2024, the Diary of a CEO reached one billion listens and streams across Apple, Spotify, and YouTube, becoming the first UK-produced show to hit this milestone.

Forbes revealed that the podcast franchise earned $20 million in revenue in 2024 through brand partnerships with LinkedIn, Oracle, Shopify, and other companies, plus events and merchandise. The podcast ranked second on Spotify Wrapped’s list of most popular podcasts globally in 2025, cementing Steven Bartlett’s position as a leading voice in business and entrepreneurship.

Leveraging the podcast’s success, Steven Bartlett released his first book, “Happy Sexy Millionaire,” in 2021, which became a Sunday Times bestseller. His second work, “The Diary of a CEO: The 33 Laws of Business and Life,” published in 2023, was shortlisted for The British Book Awards’ Book of the Year. The book became the fastest-selling personal development book since records began, adding another revenue stream to his growing empire.

Other Business Ventures & Investments

The question of does Steven Bartlett own Huel is frequently asked, and while he doesn’t own the company, he has been a significant investor and former director. Steven Bartlett Huel relationship began in 2021 when he joined the meal replacement company’s board as a non-executive director. Though he stepped down from the board in February 2025 after relocating to Los Angeles, he retains a small stake in the company, which was valued at over $600 million.

Beyond Huel, Steven Bartlett has made strategic investments across multiple sectors. He co-founded Thirdweb and serves on its board, invested in the nutrition company Zoe, and holds stakes in various technology and consumer brands. In May 2025, he became a co-owner of Stan Store, a platform designed to help creator entrepreneurs launch and manage online businesses.

His venture capital activities extend through Flight Ventures and Flight Fund, where he backs disruptive startups in technology, health, and media. In December 2025, Flight Story announced a seven-figure investment in Hot Smart Rich (HSR), a business founded by podcaster Maggie Sellers Reum.

Steven Bartlett’s brand partnerships, speaking engagements, and appearance fees add additional income streams. His role as an investor on Dragons Den Steven Bartlett joined in 2021 has further elevated his public profile and created opportunities for deal flow and networking.

Steven Bartlett Dragons Den Journey

The story of Dragons Den Steven Bartlett began in May 2021 when he was announced as the newest investor on the BBC One show. At age 28, he became the youngest-ever “dragon” in the show’s history, joining the panel for series 19. His addition brought a fresh, younger perspective to the lineup of seasoned entrepreneurs.

Steven Bartlett’s presence on the show reflects his desire to inspire underrepresented viewers to consider careers in business and entrepreneurship. His investment style on the show demonstrates his focus on technology-enabled businesses, consumer brands, and companies with strong founder stories.

Notable Dragons Den Steven Bartlett investments include wellness brand Full Power Cacao, where he partnered with Gary Neville (appearing as a guest investor) and Peter Jones. The trio invested £30,000 for a 15% stake in the company. His approach on the show emphasizes mentorship and strategic support beyond just capital.

Current Net Worth Estimate

So, what is Steven Bartlett net worth in 2025? The answer varies depending on the source, reflecting the private nature of many of his holdings and the fluctuating value of startup investments.

According to Forbes, Steven Bartlett net worth stands at approximately £29 million, earning him a spot on their 2025 Top Creators list. However, other credible sources paint a more optimistic picture. Several reports value his wealth at around £68-71 million ($85-96 million), while Celebrity Net Worth estimates it at $50 million (approximately £39 million).

The breakdown by income source includes:

Social Chain Proceeds: While the 2023 sale price of £7.7 million seems modest, Steven Bartlett had already realized significant value during the company’s public listing phase when it was valued at $600 million.

Investment Portfolio: Holdings in Thirdweb (valued at $160 million), Huel (valued at over $600 million), and numerous other startups through Flight Fund contribute substantially to his wealth.

Podcast and Media Businesses: The Diary of a CEO generates approximately $20 million annually in revenue, with Steven Bartlett owning the intellectual property through Flight Studio.

Book Sales: Two Sunday Times bestsellers have generated significant income through advances and ongoing sales.

Real Estate and Other Assets: Property holdings and other investments round out his portfolio, though specific details remain private.

Creator Holding Company: In late 2025, Steven Bartlett raised an eight-figure funding round valuing his creator-focused holding company at $425 million, though his personal stake percentage wasn’t disclosed.

The question of how much is Steven Bartlett worth is difficult to answer precisely because private equity stakes, unrealized investment gains, and liabilities aren’t publicly disclosed. However, a reasonable estimate places his net worth between £40-70 million, with significant upside potential from his growing investment portfolio.

Personal Life: Steven Bartlett Girlfriend and Partner

For those curious about Steven Bartlett’s personal relationships, the entrepreneur is in a relationship with Melanie Vaz Lopes. The Steven Bartlett girlfriend question has been answered, though the couple generally keeps their private life away from the public eye. Questions like “is Steven Bartlett married” and inquiries about Steven Bartlett wife are common, but the entrepreneur is not married.

The Steven Bartlett partner is a French wellness entrepreneur and breathwork coach who goes by the Instagram handle @meloai. She is the founder of Bali Breathwork Studio and the wellbeing brand Auraya. Melanie specializes in breathwork and bodywork content and has built a substantial following of approximately 134,000 Instagram followers.

Steven Bartlett and Melanie Vaz Lopes first met via Instagram in 2016 and dated for about a year before breaking up in 2017. At the time, Steven Bartlett admitted that his intense focus on business made it difficult to maintain meaningful relationships. In 2022, after years of personal growth, he flew 22 hours to Bali to win her back. The grand gesture worked, and they reconciled.

Their rekindled relationship became public during his Diary of a CEO live tour in February 2022. In a romantic reveal, Steven Bartlett declared his love for his girlfriend while the House Gospel Choir sang Stevie Wonder’s “I’ll Be Loving You Always” as love heart confetti fell from the ceiling.

Regarding Steven Bartlett daughter, he does not have any children, though rumors and searches about this topic persist. He has mentioned in interviews with guests like Simon Shetty that he desires to start a family someday.

Addressing the search query “is Steven Bartlett gay,” the answer is no—Steven Bartlett is in a heterosexual relationship with Melanie Vaz Lopes. The couple continues to support each other’s ventures, with Melanie occasionally being mentioned on Steven Bartlett podcast episodes where he discusses meditation and wellness practices she introduced him to.

Steven Bartlett news often includes updates about his relationship, though he remains relatively private about this aspect of his life. Where does Steven Bartlett live has changed recently, as he relocated to Los Angeles in 2025 to expand his business operations in the United States. This move led to his stepping down from the Huel board due to time constraints, though he maintains his investor status.

For those wondering how tall is Steven Bartlett, he stands at approximately 5’10” (178 cm), though this detail is rarely discussed in business contexts. Questions like “who is Steven Bartlett girlfriend” continue to generate interest as his public profile grows, but the entrepreneur maintains that his relationship with Melanie remains a source of personal support and inspiration rather than a subject for public consumption.

Lifestyle and Spending Habits

Despite his substantial wealth, Steven Bartlett maintains a relatively low-key public lifestyle compared to many entrepreneurs of similar net worth. His approach to wealth reflects his philosophy on money, which he has discussed extensively in his Steven Bartlett book “Happy Sexy Millionaire” and on the Diary of a CEO.

Known assets include property holdings in the UK and, more recently, in Los Angeles following his 2025 relocation. He owns a French bulldog named after Kanye West’s album “The Life of Pablo,” a detail he shared in a 2023 Telegraph interview.

Steven Bartlett’s spending philosophy emphasizes investment over consumption. Rather than displaying wealth through luxury purchases, he reinvests profits into building businesses and backing other entrepreneurs. His public appearances on Dragons Den showcase his focus on value creation rather than flashy displays of wealth.

Regarding philanthropy, Steven Bartlett supports various causes, particularly those related to entrepreneurship education and opportunities for underrepresented communities. He is an advocate of Homewards, the homelessness initiative established by Prince William, and accompanied the Prince of Wales on Royal visits throughout Bournemouth in September 2023.

His statements about wealth consistently emphasize that money is a tool for creating impact rather than an end goal. In “Happy Sexy Millionaire,” he challenges conventional notions about success, arguing that pursuing happiness, meaningful relationships, and personal growth should take precedence over simply accumulating wealth.

Lessons from Steven Bartlett’s Wealth Journey

Steven Bartlett’s path to wealth offers valuable insights for aspiring entrepreneurs:

Starting Without a Safety Net: Dropping out of university after one lecture demonstrated his willingness to bet on himself. While risky, this decision freed him to focus entirely on building his vision without the distraction of completing a degree he didn’t believe in.

Leveraging Digital Trends Early: Recognizing the power of social media marketing before it became mainstream gave Steven Bartlett a significant first-mover advantage. His ability to understand platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter when they were still emerging tools positioned Social Chain as an industry leader.

Building Personal Brand Alongside Business: Long before “personal branding” became a buzzword, Steven Bartlett understood that his credibility and visibility would create opportunities beyond any single company. The Diary of a CEO podcast transformed him from a successful entrepreneur into a media personality and thought leader.

Diversification Strategy: Rather than relying on one income source, Steven Bartlett built multiple revenue streams across media, investments, speaking, books, and consulting. This diversification protects his wealth and creates synergies between ventures.

Content Creation as Business Strategy: The podcast generates direct revenue while simultaneously promoting his books, attracting investment opportunities, and building relationships with influential guests. This multi-layered value creation exemplifies modern entrepreneurship.

Embracing Failure and Pivoting: Not all of Steven Bartlett’s ventures have succeeded, and he speaks openly about setbacks. His willingness to learn from failures and adjust strategy has been crucial to long-term success.

Investing in People and Relationships: Flight Fund’s model of bringing in successful founders as limited partners demonstrates his belief in relationship capital. These connections provide value beyond monetary returns through advice, introductions, and collaboration opportunities.

Controversies and Challenges

Steven Bartlett’s journey hasn’t been without controversy. In August 2024, advertisements featuring Steven Bartlett for nutrition brands Zoe and Steven Bartlett Huel were banned by the UK’s Advertising Standards Authority (ASA). The ASA ruled that the ads failed to disclose his commercial relationships with both companies—he was an investor in Zoe and a director at Huel at the time.

The ASA found that the advertisements “omitted material information” about his financial interests, potentially misleading consumers who might view his endorsements as unbiased testimonials rather than paid promotions. This ruling highlighted ongoing debates about influencer disclosure requirements and transparency in advertising.

In December 2024, a BBC investigation raised concerns about health claims made by guests on the Diary of a CEO podcast. The investigation analyzed 15 health-related episodes and found an average of 14 harmful health claims per episode that contradicted extensive scientific evidence. Examples included suggestions that cancer could be treated through ketogenic diets rather than proven medical treatments, and claims that conditions like autism could be “reversed” through dietary changes.

Steven Bartlett news coverage of these controversies sparked debate about podcaster responsibility and the spread of health misinformation. In response, a spokesperson for Flight Studio stated that guests are offered “freedom of expression” and are “thoroughly researched,” emphasizing that the podcast presents “a range of voices, not just those Steven and the DOAC team necessarily agree with.”

Social Chain also faced criticism during Steven Bartlett’s tenure as CEO. Reports emerged of a high-pressure work culture, with some former employees describing the environment as having “day-to-day bullying.” These allegations highlighted tensions between rapid growth ambitions and employee wellbeing.

Despite these controversies, Steven Bartlett has continued to build his business empire, though they serve as reminders of the responsibilities that come with influence and platform size.

Future Wealth Trajectory

Looking ahead, Steven Bartlett net worth appears positioned for continued growth through several key developments:

US Market Expansion: His 2025 move to Los Angeles and partnership with WME (the talent agency representing Adele, Jude Law, and Ben Affleck) signals ambitions to build his media presence in the American market. This could significantly increase speaking fees, brand partnerships, and media opportunities.

Creator Holding Company Growth: The $425 million valuation of his creator-focused holding company in late 2025 suggests institutional investors see substantial upside potential. As this portfolio matures and companies exit or go public, Steven Bartlett’s stake could increase significantly in value.

Podcast Monetization Evolution: With over one billion listens and top-five global Spotify rankings, the Diary of a CEO has room to expand into live events, premium content, international versions, and potentially traditional media deals.

Investment Portfolio Maturation: Holdings in Thirdweb, Huel, and numerous Flight Fund companies are still relatively young. As these businesses scale and potentially exit through acquisitions or IPOs, Steven Bartlett stands to realize substantial gains.

Book and Content Franchises: Following the massive success of his books, additional titles leveraging his platform could generate significant advances and ongoing royalties. The intellectual property he’s building has long-term value.

Platform Ownership: His May 2025 co-ownership of Stan Store positions him in the creator economy infrastructure space, potentially benefiting from the overall growth of independent creators monetizing their audiences.

Market analysts predict the global creator economy will exceed $500 billion by 2027, up from $250 billion in 2024. Steven Bartlett’s position at the intersection of content creation, venture capital, and brand building puts him in an excellent position to capture value from this growth.

His influence in the UK and European tech scenes continues to grow, with what does Steven Bartlett do expanding into advisory roles, board positions, and strategic investments that could compound his wealth significantly over the next decade.

Conclusion

The story of Steven Bartlett net worth is ultimately about much more than numbers. From a university dropout in Manchester to a multi-millionaire entrepreneur, investor, and media personality, his journey demonstrates the power of vision, risk-taking, and relentless execution.

Current estimates place how much is Steven Bartlett worth between £29 million and £96 million, depending on valuation methods and asset visibility. What’s clear is that his wealth continues to grow through diversified income streams spanning media, investments, books, speaking, and business ventures.

Understanding how did Steven Bartlett make his money reveals a modern entrepreneurial playbook: identify emerging trends early, build a personal brand alongside businesses, create content that establishes thought leadership, diversify income streams, and use influence to access investment opportunities. His success with Social Chain, the Diary of a CEO podcast, and Flight Fund demonstrates mastery of this approach.

For young entrepreneurs wondering what is Steven Bartlett net worth, the more important question might be: how did he create value across so many domains? His influence extends far beyond financial metrics—he’s inspired thousands to pursue entrepreneurship, challenged conventional wisdom about success, and demonstrated that building wealth and making an impact aren’t mutually exclusive goals.

The question of who is Steven Bartlett continues to evolve as he expands into new markets and ventures. At just 32 years old, with decades of productive years ahead, his wealth trajectory suggests that today’s net worth may represent only a fraction of what he’ll ultimately build.

For aspiring entrepreneurs, Steven Bartlett’s journey offers a roadmap: start young, embrace risk, leverage digital platforms, build multiple income streams, invest in relationships, and never stop learning. Whether through the Dragons Den platform, the Diary of a CEO podcast, or his various business ventures, Steven Bartlett has proven that combining vision, work ethic, and strategic thinking can transform someone from a university dropout into one of the most influential entrepreneurs of his generation.

The lessons from his wealth journey apply to anyone building a business: focus on creating value, not just accumulating money; diversify your income sources; build a personal brand; invest in your knowledge and relationships; and never underestimate the power of content to amplify your influence and opportunities.

As Steven Bartlett continues to expand his empire and influence, one thing remains certain: the answer to what is Steven Bartlett net worth will likely be significantly higher in years to come, but the real value he’s created lies in inspiring a generation of entrepreneurs to pursue their own ambitious visions.

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