Last week, atop the MCM studios building in Manhattan, a gentle breeze barely stirred as six business founders took the stage to present their ventures.
April Wachtel soon took her place, advocating for her business, Cheeky Cocktails, before a panel of judges that included billionaire investor Tim Draper. As she delivered her pitch, cameramen moved around her, broadcasting the event live for Draper’s entrepreneurial competition show, “Meet the Drapers,” which is reminiscent of “Shark Tank.”
Now in its eighth season, the show has previously crowned winners such as Balloon, a leadership platform, and It’s Skinny, a food brand.
After her appearance, Wachtel described the experience to TechCrunch as “a whirlwind,” emphasizing how valuable the visibility is for startups like hers. Cheeky Cocktails specializes in artisanal cocktail mixers. She learned about the show after placing second in another pitch contest earlier in the month. A “Meet the Drapers” producer contacted her to see if she could participate, and within 48 hours, she was on set making her pitch.
“Nothing compares to hearing a founder share their journey firsthand,” she remarked. “Ultimately, customers may initially buy because they resonate with you, but they stay because they love what you offer.”
Tim Draper (CENTER) stands with the entrepreneurs featured on “Meet the Drapers.” Image Credits:"Meet the Drapers" Last Monday, the show offered select media and guests an exclusive look behind the scenes at its production process. Draper explained to TechCrunch that he wanted to demystify how investment decisions are made.
The judging panel included his sister, Polly Draper, an actress currently recognized for her role in “Hacks.” Other judges were Andy Tang, a partner at Draper Associates, and Rosie Rios, who served as U.S. Treasurer from 2009 to 2016.
“Meet the Drapers” is one of several programs on Draper’s new TV network, DraperTV, which focuses on business and entrepreneurship content and is available on streaming platforms like Roku. The show previously aired on networks such as BizTV.
This season, the show is making stops in cities across the U.S., including Tuscaloosa, Alabama, Austin, and Detroit, to spotlight regional talent and showcase different tech communities.
Wachtel was among six entrepreneurs featured in the New York episode. Winners from each city advance to the semifinals, and ultimately, the grand finale in San Francisco, where they compete for a $1 million prize.
“The goal was to let people worldwide witness the dynamic between entrepreneurs and venture capitalists, and to show why this relationship is so vital for generating jobs, prosperity, innovation, and consumer activity everywhere,” Draper explained.
The program delivered all the excitement and drama that fans of business and entertainment expect. Draper’s charismatic presence and self-deprecating humor stood out. The investors offered thoughtful feedback, and the founders presented ambitious ideas. Participants represented a wide range of backgrounds, industries, and experiences.
Sujana Chandrasekhar, founder of medtech company KivviMed, also competed in the same New Jersey pitch event as Wachtel and was encouraged to try out for “Meet the Drapers.” Chandrasekhar admitted she felt more anxious than usual, given the show’s large audience. KivviMed is developing a device to relieve ear pain.
I’ve developed five digital twins. My digital twin is even conducting interviews with people like Karl Marx.
According to the show’s data, “Meet the Drapers” has a particularly strong following in India, Brazil, and Taiwan. Since its launch last summer, DraperTV claims to reach over 350 million households globally.
“I managed to stay on point, communicate my message, and respond to questions as well as I could,” Chandrasekhar shared with TechCrunch. She credited the show’s team for helping her refine her pitch, giving the founders a brief tour of New York, and providing hair and makeup services, which she said made her feel valued.
She added that the visibility her company and its mission received was a major reason for participating.
Hilary Taylor, founder of WattsUp, echoed this sentiment. WattsUp is a startup focused on building electric vehicle infrastructure. Taylor learned about the show through the Techstars Alabama Accelerator, where her company is currently enrolled.
She described the experience as both stimulating and demanding, noting that it required as much storytelling skill as business acumen.
“You have to quickly connect with both the judges and the audience, breaking down complex tech concepts for general viewers while maintaining credibility with investors,” she said, adding that the show helps founders reach people outside the traditional tech sphere.
“Unlike the often formal atmosphere of most VC pitch sessions, this one had genuine, humorous, and even silly moments that made it feel approachable and surprisingly enjoyable,” she remarked.
“Meet the Drapers” is just one piece of Draper’s expanding media venture. As a third-generation investor, Draper established Draper Associates in the 1980s, backing major tech companies like Tesla, Skype, and Twitch. His children have also entered the venture capital world, including Jesse Draper, who started Halogen Ventures, and Adam Draper, founder of Boost VC .
Draper clearly has ambitious plans for his media empire centered on technology and startups. DraperTV features shows such as “Draper Decentralized,” which explores AI and web3, the “Can’t Be Done” podcast about emerging technologies, and “Talk with Tim,” where Draper discusses his views on business and tech.
Nothing compares to hearing a founder share their journey firsthand.
He is also developing digital twins—AI-powered versions of himself that can interact with people and even conduct interviews. Draper believes these digital twins will play a growing role in entertainment, media, and journalism, though he maintains that human involvement will remain crucial in news creation.
“I’ve developed five digital twins,” he said. “My digital twin is even conducting interviews with people like Karl Marx.”
Outside of his television ventures, Draper continues to operate Draper University, a program known for its unconventional approaches to preparing entrepreneurs for the challenges of the startup world. One of his early reality TV projects, “Startup U,” was based on Draper University but was canceled after just one season. Draper says he still likes the concept and may revisit it in the future.
“We’ve done some remarkable things with entrepreneurs, resulting in compelling videos and storytelling,” he commented.
Draper believes the innovations these founders are working on will be crucial in the years ahead, and that highlighting their work now opens doors for others to imagine the future. On “Meet the Drapers,” this means offering a glimpse into the future of sports betting, advancements in drug discovery, and the evolution of electric vehicle infrastructure.
“Some networks are starting to focus on what’s next,” Draper added. “Most are reporting on the present, but we want to tell the story of what’s coming 15 years down the line.”
