GECs
“Meet the Drapers”, the crowdfunding reality show by Sony Entertainment Television, is again on the hunt for the next big idea; Season 2 going global
MUMBAI: “Meet the Drapers” Season 1 debuted the world’s first crowdfunding-based startup reality show in 2017-2018, featuring the Drapers — Silicon Valley’s legendary VC family – and was an immediate success in the Americas.
Startups in Season 1 raised a staggering 2.2 million dollars through the show, with Pigeonly being chosen as the winning startup that claimed the Grand Prize funding investment by Tim Draper. All in all, the top 6 finalists received over $400,000 in funding from Tim Draper during the Season 1 final episode.
Season 2 takes things up several notches and promises to be more exciting than ever in its search for the hottest startups. The show is going global and will now be accessible to millions of viewers in 167 countries through multiple platforms. Season 2 will premiere in the Americas on November 24th, 2018 at
6PM ET on Sony Entertainment Television (SET). The series is sponsored by Draper University, Augmate
& Veridoc.
“We were thrilled by the success of Season 1 and look forward to bringing “Meet the Drapers’ to a global audience” said Jaideep Janakiram, Head of Americas, Sony Pictures Networks. “Season 2 showcases some of the brightest young entrepreneurs in the US and we are hoping that the show will encourage other entrepreneurs around the world to apply and get their shot at success.”
Cryptocurrency, blockchain, and bitcoin are changing the world, and no one understands it better than
Tim Draper, one of the foremost authorities on the Blockchain and Crypto space in the VC world.
“We are going to experience the greatest transformation of humans in the history of the world as a result of bitcoin and all its associated technologies” said Tim Draper. Season 2 of “Meet the Drapers” weaves this technology into the show with the addition of Crypto Corner – a special segment where Tim Draper will discuss the latest developments with celebrity experts in the field and share insights with viewers.
In “Meet the Drapers”, viewers watch some of the US’s hottest young entrepreneurs pitch their startups to the Draper family, one celebrity guest judge, and the audience. Viewers will then invest in the startups they like best via the Republic crowdfunding platform. Startups that raise the most funds from viewers will enter the grand finale. From these lucky few, Tim Draper will select the final winning companies that will get funding from the Draper family.
“The next generation of startups is being built today and viewers can share in their success if the startup takes off,” said Republic Partner, Chuck Pettid. “It’s been a thrill for us to work on this groundbreaking television series and we can’t wait to bring Season 2 to the world.”
Thousands of startups applied to be part of Season 2, and after extensive screening, 36 finalists were chosen to be on the show. Detailed information on participating startups can be found on republic.co/meet-the-drapers. Some of the guest judges this season include billionaire entrepreneur Naveen Jain, astronaut Anousheh Ansari and the founder of Clear Ventures VC firm Rajeev Madhavan.
“Meet the Drapers” is produced and directed by Sarika Batra and created by Tim Draper in partnership with Sony Entertainment Television (SET) and Republic. “Meet the Drapers” Season 2 premieres on Saturday, November 24th, 2018 at 6pm ET on Sony Entertainment Television. For more information about the series, please visit www.setasia.tv/meetthedrapers.
MUMBAI: Lights, camera… connection because this time, the game isn’t just about winning, it’s about who’s with you. Sony Pictures Networks India is gearing up to launch a new reality game show, Tum Ho Naa, expanding its unscripted slate with a format that promises both emotion and engagement.
The show will premiere soon on Sony Entertainment Television and stream on Sony LIV, with Rajeev Khandelwal stepping in as host. Known for his measured screen presence and selective choices, Khandelwal’s return to television adds a layer of familiarity and credibility to the upcoming format.
While specific details of the gameplay remain under wraps, the positioning suggests a reality format that leans as much on emotional resonance as it does on competition, an increasingly popular blend in Indian television, where audiences are gravitating towards content that offers both stakes and storytelling.
Khandelwal, reflecting on his return, noted that his choices have often been guided by instinct rather than convention, describing Tum Ho Naa as a project that feels “close to the heart”. His association also signals Sony’s continued focus on anchoring new formats with recognisable faces who bring both relatability and depth.
The launch comes at a time when broadcasters are doubling down on original non-fiction formats to drive appointment viewing, even as digital platforms expand parallel reach. By placing the show across both linear television and OTT, Sony appears to be aiming for a dual-audience strategy capturing traditional viewers while engaging digital-first consumers.
As the countdown to premiere begins, Tum Ho Naa positions itself not just as another game show, but as a reminder that sometimes, the biggest prize on screen isn’t the jackpot, it’s the journey shared along the way.
