Julian, you’re spot on—influencer-led brands that think like founders, not just content creators, are the ones scaling into multi-million-dollar ventures.

One of the biggest shifts I’m seeing? Luxury beauty & fashion startups launched by influencers securing institutional investment.

✔ They aren’t relying solely on social media engagement—they’re building direct-to-consumer retail pipelines. ✔ They position their brands for international expansion, tapping into Middle Eastern & European luxury markets. ✔ They structure their businesses to attract private equity backing, not just venture capital.

Influencers who understand manufacturing, distribution, and high-margin product categories are moving beyond creator deals into legacy-building businesses.

Curious—where do you see investor-backed influencer brands evolving next?