or


[07/13/16 - 12:31 PM]
Entrepreneurs with Start-Up Companies on the Verge of Huge Growth Get Down to Business with World-Class Mentors in New NBC Series "Funded"
In each standalone episode, start-up companies will be paired with one of three mentors: maverick entrepreneur and venture capitalist Rob Dyrdek, brand ambassador and media tycoon Tyra Banks or iconic brand-building guru and investor Rohan Oza.

[via press release from NBC]

ENTREPRENEURS WITH START-UP COMPANIES ON THE VERGE OF HUGE GROWTH GET DOWN TO BUSINESS WITH WORLD-CLASS MENTORS IN NEW NBC SERIES "FUNDED"

Rob Dyrdek, Tyra Banks and Rohan Oza to Guide Visionaries of Young Companies as They Battle for $1 Million Cash Infusion in the First Business Competition Series Built Around an Investment Fund

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. - July 13, 2016 - Entrepreneurs with revolutionary and disruptive business ideas that are primed to explode into the next game-changing innovation will have the opportunity to team up with three of the brightest business minds of today and compete for up to a $1 million investment in NBC's new alternative series "Funded" (working title).

NBC has given a series order to "Funded," the first business competition show built around an investment fund. In each standalone episode, start-up companies will be paired with one of three mentors: maverick entrepreneur and venture capitalist Rob Dyrdek, brand ambassador and media tycoon Tyra Banks or iconic brand-building guru and investor Rohan Oza.

In every episode of "Funded," Dyrdek, Banks and Oza will select from a fresh crop of start-ups, each choosing one to champion and mentor. These are no ordinary start-ups but, rather, represent the best and most promising new companies in the world, with the potential for exponential growth and the chance of become global brands. These companies will get game-changing expert advice from our mentors and their elite advisors, and viewers will get priceless business insight previously only known to CEO's and successful entrepreneurs.

At the end of each episode, the start-ups and their mentors must face a Venture Capitalist in front of a live audience, and convince him their company could be the next great company if they can get the fund's backing and that $1 million cash infusion. Only one start-up per episode can get funded, and only one mentor can claim bragging rights as the savviest visionary entrepreneur.

Smart and authentic, practical and provoking, "Funded" pulls back the curtain on the high-stakes world of Venture Capital and will unveil the next generation of rock star entrepreneurs.

"Funded" marks the first series from the newly formed Universal Television Alternative Studios.

"We set out to create a highly entertaining show for quality business ideas with innovative entrepreneurs who, with a little bit of guidance and capital, will have explosive growth," said Dyrdek. "At its core, 'Funded' is a serial entrepreneur competition show where the winner is the American dream!"

"I have spent my life encouraging people to BYOB - Be Your Own Boss," said Banks. "Making everyday people's dreams come true is what I live for. 'Funded' is the life-changing type of television power project that gets me pumped. We will enlighten and entertain audiences big time and encourage our viewers to attack their most outrageous goals with fierce determination."

"Rob, Tyra and Rohan offer a level of business experience and expertise that is priceless to a burgeoning entrepreneur. They are perfectly suited to be at the helm of this series as it sets out to shine a light on extraordinary start-ups, provide invaluable guidance to innovators and give financial backing to the most deserving and revolutionary ideas that will shape our future," said Meredith Ahr, President, Universal Television Alternative Studios.

For those wanting to be considered for "Funded," please go to www.fundedcasting.com.

ROB DYRDEK

Rob Dyrdek is a renowned storyteller, systematic entrepreneur, venture capitalist, pop-culture personality, ex-professional athlete, retired stuntman, brand ambassador and groundbreaking media impresario all wrapped into one. If you had to put one label on him, it's simple: He's a Pureblood Do-or-Dier. He is the embodiment of having the fortitude, work ethic, grit and determination to turn passions into reality. Although he may wear many hats, it all comes back to a simple system - he sees it, believes it, plans it, and then does it. The Dyrdek Reserve and the Dyrdek Machine were born from this obsession and aim to deliver on his life mission. Dyrdek is compelled beyond reason to live the most amazing life possible and help others do the same. His passionate commitment to Living Amazing involves curating the right ideas and the right Do-or-Diers, helping them put all the right pieces together, and then watching dreams come alive.

TYRA BANKS

Tyra Banks | Chairman and CEO, The Tyra Banks Company; Founder, Fierce Capital, LLC Expanding the definition of beauty is something Banks has always believed in, as a supermodel and as a super-businesswoman. Banks is CEO of The Tyra Banks Company - a place where beauty meets entertainment. An original Victoria's Secret angel, Banks was the first African-American model to be featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue. For the last decade, she has been the creator and executive producer of "America's Next Top Model," the first and longest-running fashion competition-based reality television series. Most recently, Banks created a one-of-a-kind cosmetics experience - TYRA Beauty. With a radically fierce, fresh and unique approach to the beauty industry.

ROHAN OZA

Called "Hollywood's Brandfather" by the Hollywood Reporter, Rohan Oza is the master of transforming groundbreaking consumer products into household names. A global pioneer in celebrity equity deals, Oza creates personality and brand collaboration in an utterly distinctive way. In 2002, Oza left the Coca Cola Company to become partner and Chief Marketing Officer of then-fledgling beverage company Glacéau. From this position he built the powerhouse brands Vitaminwater and Smartwater through groundbreaking partnerships with celebrities, including 50 Cent, Jennifer Aniston, LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Tom Brady, Venus Williams and Alicia Keys. These partnerships not only catapulted Vitaminwater and Smartwater into becoming the culturally significant brands the world knows today, they also transformed the landscape of entertainment marketing. Rohan's career came full circle when, just five years later, The Coca-Cola Company purchased Glacéau for $4.1 billion, and appointed him Chief Marketing Officer across all still Coke brands. From this position, Rohan further expanded his efforts to identify key gaps in the marketplace and invest in small, better-for-you brands in order to transform them into household names. In 2016, Rohan became a co-founder of CAVU Venutres, along with Sweat Leaf Tea & Deep Eddy Vodka founder Clayton Christopher, and former Thematic Capital Partners managing member Brett Thomas. These titans of the consumer packaged goods space are joining forces to leverage each other's skills to bring the public the best in better-for-you products.

"Funded" is executive produced by Dyrdek, Banks, Kris Curry, and Lee Metzger ("The Voice"). The series will be produced by Universal Television Alternative Studios in association with SuperJacket Productions.





  [july 2016]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
     


· FUNDED (NBC)





[11/21/24 - 08:03 AM]
FOX Entertainment and Hulu Announce New Multi-Year Content Partnership Deal
Today's announcement renews the major program output deal between the two companies, as well as an agreement that allows Hulu to stream out-of-season episodes of key FOX unscripted programs.

[11/20/24 - 12:30 PM]
Slam Dunk! Disney, ESPN and the NBA Team Up to Present "Dunk the Halls" - the First Real-Time, Animated NBA Game: San Antonio Spurs vs. New York Knicks on Christmas Day
"Dunk the Halls" will be presented on ESPN2, Disney+ and ESPN+.

[11/20/24 - 12:06 PM]
Australian Hulu Original Scripted Drama Series "The Artful Dodger" Is Back for Season 2
The eight-episode Season 2 has an all-star returning cast including Thomas Brodie-Sangster as Jack Dawkins aka The Artful Dodger, David Thewlis as Fagin, and Maia Mitchell as Lady Belle Fox.

[11/20/24 - 12:00 PM]
Third Annual "LEGO Masters: Celebrity Holiday Bricktacular" Premieres Tuesday, Dec. 10 and Tuesday, Dec. 17 at 8:00 - 10:00PM ET/PT on FOX
Special celebrity guests include Sophia Bush, Holly Robinson Peete, Eric McCormack and Lil Rel Howery pairing up with fan-favorite former contestants to compete in jaw-dropping holiday-themed challenges for charities of their choice.

[11/20/24 - 12:00 PM]
"Glitter and Greed: The Lisa Frank Story" to Premiere December 5 on Prime Video
The four-part documentary penetrates the neon-hued world of Lisa Frank Inc., a brand that defined girlhood for a generation of Americans only to seemingly disappear overnight.

[11/20/24 - 11:03 AM]
Julianne Hough and Alfonso Ribeiro Set to Host "The Wonderful World of Disney: Holiday Spectacular" Airing Sunday, Dec. 1, on ABC and Stream Next Day on Hulu and Disney+
Narrated by Kristen Bell, who will share the tale of how the Disney Parks kicks off the most magical holiday ever, "The Wonderful World of Disney: Holiday Spectacular" airs Sunday, December 1.

[11/20/24 - 11:00 AM]
Paramount+ with Showtime Announces "The Honey Trap: A True Story of Love, Lies and the FBI" Premiering Friday, December 6th
The documentary feature, directed by Emmy-nominated filmmaker Chris Moukarbel, is a dramatic tale of espionage, propaganda, and romance, following the infamous Berlin rapper Denis Cuspert aka Deso Dogg and his journey from artist to MMA fighter to ISIS recruiter.

[11/20/24 - 10:34 AM]
Bravo Rings in the New Year with "Southern Hospitality" Season Three Premiering Thursday, Jan. 2 at 9 P.M. ET/PT
The Queen of King Street, Leva Bonaparte, and her staff - Joe Bradley, Bradley Carter, TJ Dinch, Maddi Reese and Emmy Sharrett - are back for an unforgettable summer of work, play and debauchery.

[11/20/24 - 10:01 AM]
Peacock's New Docuseries "Girls Gone Wild: The Untold Story" Goes Inside the Cultural Phenomenon to Reveal the Dark Underbelly of Joe Francis' World
The docuseries, premiering December 3 exclusively on Peacock, includes Francis' first in-depth, in-person interview with a journalist in almost a decade.

[11/20/24 - 10:01 AM]
Video: "Anthony Jeselnik: Bones and All" - Official Trailer - Netflix
Anthony Jeselnik celebrates 20 years of delivering boundary-pushing comedy to the masses in this razor-sharp stand-up special.

[11/20/24 - 10:01 AM]
The CW Network Sets 2025 Midseason Premiere Dates for New and Returning Series
Season 7 of the hit series "All American," starring Michael Evans Behling, Greta Onieogou and Bre-Z, kicks off with a special sneak peek on Wednesday, January 29 (8:00-9:00pm ET/PT) before premiering in its regular timeslot on Monday, February 3 (8:00-9:00pm ET/PT).

[11/20/24 - 10:00 AM]
"The Simpsons" - Pamela Hayden, the Voice of Milhouse and Other Iconic Characters Retires the Show After 35 Years
Hear Pamela give her final voice to Milhouse and Jimbo Jones in an all-new episode this Sunday, November 24 on FOX.

[11/20/24 - 09:34 AM]
AXS TV Presents Every Star-Studded Episode from Season One of the Emmy-Nominated Hit "Nashville" in a Special Two-Day Marathon on December 7 & 8, Starting at 10A ET
As part of the event, AXS TV presents new exclusive interviews with cast members Clare Bowen, Charles Esten, Jonathan Jackson, and Sam Palladio.

[11/20/24 - 09:05 AM]
Food Network's Emmy-Nominated Series, "Kids Baking Championship," Returns with an All-New Animal-Inspired Season
Hosts and judges, Duff Goldman and Kardea Brown, welcome a new field of talented kid bakers to the kitchen for challenges inspired by creatures big and small, including a few fluffy, furry and feathery friends who drop in to the kitchen for live appearances over the course of the season.

[11/20/24 - 09:01 AM]
First Look: Netflix's "Zero Day" Premieres on February 20, 2025
The limited series stars Robert De Niro as respected former U.S. President George Mullen, who, as head of the Zero Day Commission, is charged with finding the perpetrators of a devastating cyber attack that has caused chaos around the country and thousands of fatalities.