Scott is the founder of Influencer Capital and CELEB. He is a thought leader on the creator economy and celebrity business space. Influencer Capital is an organization that structures equity deals between startups and creators/celebrities.
Guest Author: Scott Van den Berg
YouTuber Marques Brownlee has joined everyday goods company Ridge in an equity deal. Here is everything you need to know about it.
Marques Brownlee better known as MKBHD is one of the most influential creators on the internet. His tech reviews have gained him 18 million followers.
Yesterday was announced that he is joining Ridge as an executive board member and chief creative partner on an equity deal.
Ridge was founded in 2013 by a father-son team, Daniel and Paul Kane, who believed that good products should be designed for life.
From the original patented everyday carry wallet that today is now carried by over 4 million men and women, the Ridge brand has grown to deliver a full range of everyday goods. They design uncomplicated, functional products that are ready for anything and everything.
MKBHD will leverage his experience reviewing thousands of leading tech and consumer products to direct Ridge brand strategy and design limited-edition wallet and accessory collections, the first of which will launch in April 2024.
This partnership is not random. The two have been working together since 2020 when MKBHD first began promoting products of Ridge.
This equity deal will deepen the relationship by bringing together Ridge’s commitment to quality and functionality with Brownlee’s unparalleled influence in the tech space and understanding of the modern consumers’ evolving needs.
“This is an exciting opportunity to go beyond a one-time product collaboration and more deeply influence a company whose products I love and use daily. This is the first time I’ve committed to a brand at this level, and I’m excited to become a larger part of Ridge’s journey and see how we can change the products that we all carry every day,” said Marques Brownlee.
More than four million people own Ridge’s iconic Ridge Wallet, and the company is the top-selling Everyday Carry brand on the market boasting an impressive 40% year-over-year growth.
“Marques has built a brand on high standards and authenticity, which aligns perfectly with Ridge’s commitment to creating quality products that stand the test of time. As someone who knows our products as a customer, his lens on product design, function, and quality is invaluable, and we’re incredibly honored to have him take on a greater role in our next chapter,” said Sean Frank, Ridge CEO.
