As someone who has grown up with the sweet, refreshing taste of Bobba Tea being a staple in my cultural community, I find myself deeply moved by Simu Liu’s actions and words on Dragons Den. Being a fellow Asian-American, I understand the importance of representation and uplifting our own within the business world.
Are you intrigued by the latest discussions about Simu Liu and Bobba Tea? It’s been revealed that the actor recently graced Dragons Den as a guest star and investor. During this appearance, he made news for publicly criticizing the founders of a Canadian Bobba Tea company. This criticism initiated a discussion on social media concerning cultural appropriation, leading many to ponder why Liu decided not to invest in the business.
So, why didn’t Liu invest in Bobba Tea and what angered him? Here are the details.
Simu Liu and Bobba tea controversy explained
On October 10, Liu made his appearance on the debut episode of Dragons’ Den, a program similar to Shark Tank. The founders of Bobba, Sebastien Fiset and Jess Frenette, then stepped into the spotlight to present their proposal. They put forward an offer before the judges, seeking $1 million in exchange for an 18% stake in their company.
The founders began their presentation by explaining that bubble tea is a popular, sweet beverage. They mentioned that some people might not know what goes into the drink. To this, Liu interjected, “Hold on, hold on. I’m confident about its ingredients, but go on.
Showcasing their unique selling point, they highlighted how they offer a fresh twist on the traditional bubble teas that are commonly available. They specifically pointed out that they’ve reinvented this popular drink into a practical and healthier ready-to-drink option. Furthermore, they boasted about stirring up the market with their exclusive ingredients such as premium tea, popping boba, and fresh fruit juice.
Nevertheless, the idea didn’t resonate with the Marvel actor, who expressed concerns about modifying a beverage associated with Asian identity and improving it. Liu challenged them, asking if they had any Asian team members within their organization. Upon learning that their top partner hailed from Taiwan, Liu chose not to invest in the brand due to their unconvincing responses.
He explained his motivation by saying, “I launched this venture because of numerous factors, but mainly to empower underrepresented entrepreneurs. Unfortunately, I don’t see this happening in the current environment, and it concerns me that this business seems to capitalize on something deeply connected to my cultural background.
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2024-10-14 16:11