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Forget models. Tyra Banks is mentoring entrepreneurs now. This week, NBC announced a new series called Funded.
The reality show will feature young entrepreneurs being mentored by either Banks, Rob Dyrdek, or Rohan Oza. The winner will receive a $1 million investment in their company.
NBC has already given a series order to Funded. No premiere date has been announced yet.
Read more details below:
UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. – July 13, 2016 – Entrepreneurs with revolutionary and disruptive business ideas that are primed to explode into the next game-changing innovation will have the opportunity to team up with three of the brightest business minds of today and compete for up to a $1 million investment in NBC’s new alternative series “Funded” (working title).
NBC has given a series order to “Funded,” the first business competition show built around an investment fund. In each standalone episode, start-up companies will be paired with one of three mentors: maverick entrepreneur and venture capitalist Rob Dyrdek, brand ambassador and media tycoon Tyra Banks or iconic brand-building guru and investor Rohan Oza.
In every episode of “Funded,” Dyrdek, Banks and Oza will select from a fresh crop of start-ups, each choosing one to champion and mentor. These are no ordinary start-ups but, rather, represent the best and most promising new companies in the world, with the potential for exponential growth and the chance of become global brands. These companies will get game-changing expert advice from our mentors and their elite advisors, and viewers will get priceless business insight previously only known to CEO’s and successful entrepreneurs.
At the end of each episode, the start-ups and their mentors must face a Venture Capitalist in front of a live audience, and convince him their company could be the next great company if they can get the fund’s backing and that $1 million cash infusion. Only one start-up per episode can get funded, and only one mentor can claim bragging rights as the savviest visionary entrepreneur.
Smart and authentic, practical and provoking, “Funded” pulls back the curtain on the high-stakes world of Venture Capital and will unveil the next generation of rock star entrepreneurs.
“Funded” marks the first series from the newly formed Universal Television Alternative Studios.
“We set out to create a highly entertaining show for quality business ideas with innovative entrepreneurs who, with a little bit of guidance and capital, will have explosive growth,” said Dyrdek. “At its core, ‘Funded’ is a serial entrepreneur competition show where the winner is the American dream!”
“I have spent my life encouraging people to BYOB – Be Your Own Boss,” said Banks. “Making everyday people’s dreams come true is what I live for. ‘Funded’ is the life-changing type of television power project that gets me pumped. We will enlighten and entertain audiences big time and encourage our viewers to attack their most outrageous goals with fierce determination.”
“Rob, Tyra and Rohan offer a level of business experience and expertise that is priceless to a burgeoning entrepreneur. They are perfectly suited to be at the helm of this series as it sets out to shine a light on extraordinary start-ups, provide invaluable guidance to innovators and give financial backing to the most deserving and revolutionary ideas that will shape our future,” said Meredith Ahr, President, Universal Television Alternative Studios.”
What do you think? Are you a fan of reality shows? Will you watch Funded?
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