Steven Bartlett co-founded Social Chain in 2014 before joining the British TV series Dragons' Den.
Social Chain began as a social-media marketing agency co-founded by Bartlett and Dominic McGregor. The company worked with brands on digital campaigns and online communities, reflecting the growing commercial importance of social platforms in the 2010s.
Social Chain is sometimes confused with e-commerce companies such as Boohoo or Gymshark because all became prominent in the digital economy. They are different businesses: Social Chain’s original focus was social-media strategy and marketing rather than selling its own clothing range.
Bartlett joined Dragons' Den in 2021. His background differs from that of many traditional retail investors because it centres on internet culture, digital distribution, online branding and social-media-led growth.