Meet the Drapers: A Contestant's Experience | Tim Draper's Pitch Show

A Behind-the-Scenes Look at “Meet the Drapers” Pitch Show

Last week, the rooftop of the MCM Studios building in Manhattan hosted six entrepreneurs who presented their ventures to a panel of judges.

Among those pitching was April Wachtel, founder of Cheeky Cocktails. She articulated the value of her company to a judging panel that featured prominent venture capitalist Tim Draper. Television cameras documented the presentation for Draper’s “Shark Tank”-inspired show, “Meet the Drapers.”

The Show’s Progression and Past Successes

Currently in its eighth season, “Meet the Drapers” has previously recognized innovative companies like Balloon, a leadership platform, and It’s Skinny, a food-focused business.

Wachtel shared with TechCrunch that the experience was incredibly fast-paced, and the resulting exposure is invaluable for startups. Cheeky Cocktails specializes in a range of expertly crafted cocktail mixers. She received an invitation to appear on the show shortly after achieving second place in another pitch competition.

“There’s truly no replacement for a founder sharing their personal narrative,” Wachtel stated. “Ultimately, customers often choose to support businesses they connect with on a personal level, and then remain loyal due to the quality of the product.”

Insights from Tim Draper

A behind-the-scenes preview of the show’s production was offered to select media and guests last Monday. Draper explained his intention to provide transparency into the investment process.

The judging panel included Draper’s sister, Polly Draper, an actress known for her role in “Hacks.” Andy Tang, a partner at Draper Associates, and Rosie Rios, who served as the U.S. Treasurer from 2009 to 2016, also contributed to the evaluations.

Expanding the Draper Media Landscape

“Meet the Drapers” is now part of DraperTV, a newly launched channel dedicated to business and entrepreneurship content, accessible through streaming platforms like Roku. The show was previously broadcast on channels such as BizTV.

This season, the show is traveling to cities across the U.S., including Tuscaloosa, Alabama, Austin, and Detroit, to discover and showcase local talent within diverse tech ecosystems.

The Competition and Prize

Wachtel was one of six founders featured in the New York episode. Winners from each city will advance to the semifinal round, culminating in a grand finale in San Francisco, where they will compete for a $1 million prize.

“The goal is to allow people globally to witness the dynamic between entrepreneurs and venture capital, and to understand why it’s a crucial driver of job creation, wealth generation, and economic activity worldwide,” Draper explained.

The Show’s Appeal and Diversity

The show embodies the excitement of entrepreneurship and entertainment. Draper’s charismatic personality and willingness to engage in self-deprecating humor contribute to its appeal. The investors provide valuable feedback, and the founders present ambitious visions. The participants represent a wide range of ethnicities, genders, and professional backgrounds across numerous industries.

Sujana Chandrasekhar, founder of KivviMed, also participated in the New Jersey pitch competition and received an invitation to audition for “Meet the Drapers.” She admitted to feeling more anxious than usual during her pitch, aware of the show’s large audience. KivviMed is developing a medical device designed to relieve ear pain.

Draper noted the show’s significant viewership in countries like India, Brazil, and Taiwan. DraperTV currently reaches over 350 million households globally, according to the show’s data.

Founder Experiences and Preparation

“I was able to maintain focus, clearly communicate my message, and respond to questions effectively,” Chandrasekhar shared with TechCrunch. She also praised the show’s staff for their support, including pitch refinement, a tour of New York City, and professional hair and makeup services.

“The exposure our company and vision receive is exceptional,” she added, explaining her decision to participate.

Hilary Taylor, founder of WattsUp, an electric vehicle infrastructure startup, learned about the show through the Techstars Alabama Accelerator program. She described the experience as both engaging and challenging, emphasizing the importance of storytelling alongside business fundamentals.

“You must connect with both viewers and judges within a limited timeframe, simplifying complex technology for a broad audience while maintaining credibility with investors,” she explained. She also believes the show connects early-stage founders with a wider network beyond the tech industry.

“Unlike the formal atmosphere of many VC pitch meetings, this one was candid, humorous, and surprisingly enjoyable,” she remarked.

The Draper Legacy and Future Plans

“Meet the Drapers” represents just one component of a growing media empire spearheaded by Draper. As a third-generation investor, and the founder of Draper Associates in the 1980s, he has invested in tech giants like Tesla, Skype, and Twitch. His children are also involved in venture capital, with Jesse Draper founding Halogen Ventures and Adam Draper establishing Boost VC.

Draper has ambitious plans for his tech and startup-focused media ventures. DraperTV features programs such as “Draper Decentralized,” focusing on AI and web3, the “Can’t Be Done” podcast, exploring emerging technologies, and “Talk with Tim,” where Draper shares his insights on business and technology.

Embracing Artificial Intelligence

Draper is also exploring the creation of digital twins – AI-powered versions of himself capable of interacting with people and conducting interviews. He anticipates that digital twins will play an increasingly significant role in entertainment, media, and news, although he believes human involvement will remain crucial in news development.

“I’ve created five digital twins,” he revealed. “My digital twin is currently interviewing Karl Marx.”

Beyond DraperTV, Draper continues to operate Draper University, a program known for its unconventional approach to training entrepreneurs. His previous foray into reality television, “Startup U,” based on Draper University, was short-lived, but he remains open to revisiting the concept.

“We’ve achieved remarkable results with entrepreneurs, creating compelling videos and narratives,” he said.

Draper is confident that the innovations being developed by these founders will be paramount in the coming decades, and that showcasing their talent now will inspire exploration of the future. “Meet the Drapers” offers a glimpse into the future of sports betting, drug discovery, and electric vehicle infrastructure.

“Few networks are focused on the future,” Draper concluded. “They are all reporting on the present. We aim to tell the story of what will unfold 15 years from now.”