Simu Liu Calls Out Bubble Tea Company on Dragons’ Den: Cultural Appropriation or Business Opportunity?
In a recent episode of the popular Canadian reality series Dragons’ Den, actor Simu Liu sparked a heated debate about cultural appropriation in the food and beverage industry. The 35-year-old star of “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the 10 Rings” served as a guest investor, or ‘dragon,’ on the show, where he confronted a Canada-based bubble tea company over their business practices.
The Pitch
Entrepreneurs Jessica and Sebastien presented their company, Bobba, seeking a $1 million investment for an 18% stake. Their product? A “ready-to-drink” bottled version of bubble tea, marketed as a convenient and healthier alternative to traditional boba drinks.
Bobba’s founders claimed to have “transformed this beloved beverage” into a more accessible format, available in flavors like watermelon, dragon fruit, and peach. The product is currently retailing for about $3.99 in major grocery stores across Canada, the US, and Europe.
The Controversy
Liu, who was born in China, took issue with the pitch, citing concerns about cultural appropriation. He argued that bubble tea is “very distinctly Asian in its identity” and questioned the company’s approach to “making it better” without adequately acknowledging its cultural roots.
The actor pressed the entrepreneurs on their respect for the drink’s Asian heritage, asking about their staff diversity and product development process. While Sebastien mentioned a partnership with a Taiwanese team for recipes and boba production, Liu remained unsatisfied with the lack of cultural acknowledgment on the product packaging.
@cbcgem This bottled bubble tea business pitches to celebrity Dragon Simu Liu and the rest of the Dragons (📺: Dragons' Den) #dragonsden #simuliu ♬ original sound - CBC Gem
The Numbers
Despite the controversy, Bobba’s financial performance was impressive:
- Year 1 sales: $2.2 million
- Year 2 sales: $4.6 million
- Projected Year 3 sales: $7 million
- Projected Year 4 sales: $14 million
The Outcome
While Liu declined to invest, citing his commitment to uplifting minority entrepreneurs, other dragons saw potential in Bobba. Manjit Minhas, Arlene Dickinson, and Michele Romanow all made offers. Ultimately, Jessica and Sebastien accepted Manjit’s offer of $1 million for 18% equity.
The Debate Continues
The episode highlighted the ongoing tension between cultural sensitivity and business opportunity in the food and beverage industry. Manjit Minhas defended the entrepreneurs, suggesting that Liu’s criticism could be a learning opportunity for the company to better promote boba’s Asian connection.
As the popularity of Asian cuisine continues to grow globally, this incident serves as a reminder of the complexities surrounding cultural appropriation in the business world. It raises important questions about how companies can respectfully adapt and market traditional foods and beverages to a wider audience while honoring their cultural origins.