Video agency to launch TV show for UK entrepreneurs

London-based video agency Hub has joined up with e-commerce website Alibaba.com and US business network CNBC to launch a new TV show highlighting the work of entrepreneurs in the UK.

Pop Up Start Up will have a similar format to The Apprentice and Dragons’ Den, with 12 start-ups launching their own business and competing for a cash prize.

Challenge

Start-ups participating in the series will be given the challenge of mass-producing and selling their products in a pop-up shop in London, with each business being given seed capital to get their company started.

Expert mentors will be on hand to provide advice to the start-ups, and the winner of the show will be the company that makes the largest profit every week. The most successful business will be presented with a prize of £20,000.

Inspiration

Talking about the new TV show, Alibaba Group Wholesale Marketplaces President Sophie Wu said: “We really see Pop Up Start Up as a great illustration of how to do business in today’s dynamic environment. We look forward to showcasing the huge talent of the contestants and hope to provide inspiration to UK startups and small businesses around the world on how to join in the new digital economy.”

CNBC International Executive Producer Martin Conroy said that “Pop Up Start Up speaks to the network’s entrepreneurial spirit.” He added that it also fits in well among the network’s evening programming.

Pop Up Start Up will be a six-part series and is set to launch on CNBC International at 10pm on 16th December.