Steven Bartlett first appeared as a Dragon on the BBC programme Dragon's Den in 2021.
Bartlett joined the investment panel during the programme’s nineteenth series. His appointment marked a generational change for the show: he was known for building digital businesses, creating online media and speaking to a large audience through podcasts and social platforms.
Before joining the BBC programme, Bartlett had co-founded The Social Chain and developed The Diary of a CEO into a major media brand. His television role extended that public profile into business investment, where he assessed entrepreneurs’ ideas alongside more established Dragons.
The year can be confused with the dates of Bartlett’s earlier business ventures or with the years in which other newer Dragons joined. Sara Davies joined in 2019, while Bartlett’s debut came later. The relevant date is his first appearance as a panel investor, not the founding date of The Social Chain or the launch of his podcast.