Entrepreneurs Get a Taste of Reality on "Meet the Drapers" Pitch Show
Last week, six startups took to the stage at MCM studios in Manhattan to pitch their businesses to a panel of investors, including billionaire venture capitalist Tim Draper. The show, now in its eighth season, is a Shark Tank-style competition where entrepreneurs compete for funding and exposure.
April Wachtel, founder of Cheeky Cocktails, was one of the contestants who made it onto the show. Her company offers handcrafted cocktail mixers, and she credits the exposure from "Meet the Drapers" with being a game-changer for her business. "There's no substitute for hearing a founder tell their own story," Wachtel said in an interview with TechCrunch. "At the end of the day, people might buy from you because they like you and trust you."
Wachtel heard about the show after coming in second at another pitch competition earlier this month. A producer for Meet the Drapers reached out to her within days, and she was pitching on the show just 48 hours later. The experience was a whirlwind, but Wachtel said it was worth it. "The exposure is huge for startups like mine," she said.
Background and Context
Meet the Drapers has been on the air since 2014 and has featured a range of startups over the years. Past winners include leadership platform Balloon and food company Its Skinny. The show's format involves entrepreneurs pitching their businesses to a panel of investors, with the goal of securing funding and support.
Additional Perspectives
While Wachtel's experience on the show was positive, not all contestants have been as lucky. Some have criticized the show for being too focused on drama and spectacle rather than providing genuine feedback and support for startups. However, others argue that the exposure and networking opportunities provided by the show are invaluable.
Current Status and Next Developments
Meet the Drapers is currently in production for its eighth season, with new episodes airing soon. The show's producers have announced plans to feature a range of innovative startups and entrepreneurs from around the world. As for Wachtel and Cheeky Cocktails, they are already seeing the benefits of their appearance on the show. "We're getting more orders than ever before," Wachtel said. "It's been a huge boost for our business."
*Reporting by Techcrunch.*
