Steven Bartlett has become one of the most influential young entrepreneurs in the UK. Known as the host of The Diary of a CEO podcast and the youngest-ever investor on BBC’s Dragons’ Den, he has built an impressive career by combining business instincts with powerful personal branding. At just 32 years old in 2025, Bartlett has an estimated net worth of £29 million, according to Forbes, which also placed him on its 2025 Top Creators list. His journey from a university dropout to multimillionaire is a story of persistence, creativity, and fearless decision-making.
Early Life and Background
Steven Cliff Bartlett was born in Botswana in August 1992. His family moved to Plymouth, England, when he was just two years old. Raised by a Nigerian mother and an English father, Bartlett’s upbringing was modest, but it instilled in him the drive to succeed.
He attended Plymstock School and later enrolled at Manchester Metropolitan University in 2010. However, he dropped out in his first year, deciding that entrepreneurship was a better path. His first venture, launched in 2013, was Wallpark, an online message board for students where they could trade textbooks and post about local events. While Wallpark did not become a major success, it was the foundation that led to his next big leap.
Social Chain and Early Success
In 2014, at the age of 22, Bartlett co-founded Social Chain with Dominic McGregor. The agency specialized in social media marketing and quickly attracted major global brands like Apple, McDonald’s, and KFC. With his understanding of online culture, Bartlett positioned Social Chain as a leader in digital storytelling.
By the age of 23, he had already reached millionaire status. In 2019, Social Chain merged with German retailer Lumaland AG and went public on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, with a reported market valuation of more than $200 million. Bartlett stepped down as co-CEO in 2020 at just 27 years old, leaving behind a company that had cemented his reputation as one of the most innovative young entrepreneurs in Europe.
In 2023, Social Chain AG was acquired by Brave Bison for £7.7 million. While it remains unclear how much Bartlett benefited financially from the sale, his decision to exit earlier allowed him to pursue new projects that would ultimately expand his profile even further.
The Diary of a CEO: From Experiment to Global Brand
While building Social Chain, Bartlett launched what he initially thought would be a one-time project: a podcast called The Diary of a CEO. Over the years, the show evolved into one of the most successful podcasts in the world.
By November 2024, The Diary of a CEO had reached over one billion streams and downloads across Spotify, Apple, and YouTube. It also became the first UK-produced podcast to hit that milestone. The show’s guest list has included names as diverse as Michelle Obama, Jimmy Fallon, Boris Johnson, and Gary Neville.
The podcast has also proven to be highly lucrative. Forbes reported in 2024 that the franchise earned around $20 million in revenue, thanks to partnerships with LinkedIn, Oracle, Shopify, merchandise sales, and live events. The show now has over 10 million YouTube subscribers, and Bartlett’s combined social media following has surpassed 25 million.
Alongside the podcast, Bartlett has released two bestselling books. Happy Sexy Millionaire (2021) became a Sunday Times bestseller, while The Diary of a CEO: The 33 Laws of Business and Life (2023) reached No. 1 on the Sunday Times chart. The latter was even distributed in UK prisons through a partnership with the Prison Service, reflecting Bartlett’s interest in inspiring people from all walks of life.
Podcast Controversies
Despite its popularity, The Diary of a CEO has attracted criticism. A BBC World Service investigation in 2024 found that several health-related episodes contained unverified claims, particularly about cancer treatments. Critics suggested this could mislead vulnerable listeners.
Bartlett’s production company, Flight Studio, defended the podcast, emphasizing that fewer than 4% of episodes were reviewed in the investigation and that the show is designed to host open and diverse conversations. The controversy sparked debate but did little to slow the podcast’s growth.
Investments and New Ventures
After stepping down from Social Chain, Bartlett broadened his portfolio. In 2021, he co-founded Thirdweb, a platform that helps developers build Web3 apps. Backed by Coinbase and Shopify, Thirdweb was valued at $160 million in 2022 and quickly attracted 55,000 users. Reports suggested it was generating more than $1.5 million in weekly revenue at its peak, though some investors have criticized its transparency.
That same year, Bartlett launched Flight Group, which houses multiple ventures:
- Flight Fund, which invests in biotech, blockchain, technology, wellness, and space.
- Flight Story, a marketing firm aimed at helping companies scale.
- Flight Studio, a content production company building on the success of The Diary of a CEO.
These investments highlight Bartlett’s focus on emerging industries and his willingness to take risks on future-facing technology.
Dragons’ Den and Public Profile
In 2021, Bartlett joined BBC’s Dragons’ Den at just 28 years old, making him the youngest “dragon” in the show’s history. Sitting alongside Peter Jones, Sara Davies, and Deborah Meaden, he has pledged nearly £2 million in investments since joining. His presence on the show introduced him to a wider audience and showcased his sharp instincts for spotting business potential.
Beyond Dragons’ Den, Bartlett has also appeared on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list, spoken at TED Talks, and even addressed the United Nations. These milestones have helped cement his status as not just an entrepreneur but also a thought leader.
Steven Bartlett’s Net Worth in 2025
At 32, Bartlett’s net worth stands at £29 million, a figure built from his podcast empire, book sales, investments, and business ventures. While he is not in the same league as billionaires like Elon Musk or Jeff Bezos, his fortune is notable because of how quickly it was built and how diverse his income sources are.