If you’ve been on TikTok this past week, you’ve probably heard about bubble tea brand, Bobba. ICYMI, the brand competed on the Canadian version of Shark Tank called Dragons’ Den. The episode aired on October 10 and clips from the show featuring Bobba have been circulating on social media since. Bobba was represented and pitched by founders Sébastien Fiset and Jessica Frenette, and while a few potential investors on the panel greatly enjoyed the idea, the duo was met with backlash from guest investor and actor Simu Liu. Liu explained on the show his goal as a venture capitalist is to “primarily uplift minority entrepreneurs.”
Here’s how the whole situation unfolded, plus what the brand and Liu have said since the episode aired.
The Pitch
In the episode that aired on October 10, the founders were seeking $1 million for 18% of their business. Fiset and Frenette started off their pitch by referring to bubble tea as a “trendy, sugary drink that you are queuing up for and you are never quite sure about its content.” Liu immediately cut in, saying, “Hang on, hang on, I am quite sure about its content, but continue.”
There were slight laughs from the panel after this moment, but the team continued with their pitch and taste test. After trying the product — a bottled version of bubble tea — Liu raised concerns about the product.
“There’s also an issue with cultural appropriation,” Liu said. “There’s an issue of taking something that’s very distinctly Asian in its identity and ‘making it better’ which I have an issue with.”
The team explained their sales and profit and impressed the panelists with their numbers. Liu brought the conversation back to the cultural respect he believes should be owed with the product. Fiset explained that they have a partner in Taiwan who makes the boba. Liu pointed out there was no information recognizing the Asian heritage of boba, so he decided it was his time to exit the discussion as a possible investor.
In the end, the Bobba team was met with three offers to choose from and decided venture capitalist Manjit Minhas would be the right choice.
The Internet’s Reaction
On October 12, Liu posted a TikTok video addressing the show clips that have gone viral. While Liu is happy a discussion has emerged regarding cultural appropriation and the difference between paying homage and exploitation, he is saddened to hear Fiset and Frenette are receiving death threats. Just as there is a line people should not cross when it comes to cultural appropriation, he explained, the same is true when it comes to critiquing the business owners.
“I believe the entrepreneurs of this business came on Dragons’ Den to pitch a business in good faith,” Liu said.
Liu said regardless of what was mentioned during the taping, in the break room, everyone — including the other dragons — genuinely wanted to know more about his perspective and feelings. Liu called the business owners “misguided” and “ignorant,” but not deserving of threats and fear.
The Consequences
One day later, Minhas took to social media where she posted an Instagram reel explaining that she is changing her stance on working with the brand.
“After more reflection, due diligence, and listening to many of your opinions, I will not be investing in Bobba Tea,” Minhas said. While she is no longer working with Bobba, Minhas stated that she still believes in sharing cultures though foods, beverages, clothing, and more for the purpose of understanding and bringing peace. Minhas turned off her comments on previous posts, as she was also receiving threats and negativity. She left the comments turned on for this video and has continued to receive backlash.
Following Minhas’s announcement, Bobba posted a six-slide statement on its Instagram accoun, addressing the events from the episode and apologizing for any harm they have caused.
The post, signed by Fiset and Frenette, explained that because English was not their first language, they misspoke when it came to their comment regarding not knowing the contents of traditional bubble tea.
They continued stating that they take full responsibility for the impact their words and actions have had on people and recognize they should have utilized the knowledge and expertise of their Taiwanese partners. They are taking action to analyze their “branding, packaging, and marketing strategies to ensure that they reflect a respectful and accurate representation of our Taiwanese partnership and bubble tea’s cultural roots.”
They ended their post by saying this has been a learning opportunity but calling for the hate speech and death threats to come to a halt. Similar to the reactions on Minhas’ post, the comments are less than positive.