YouTuber Caspar Lee (@casparlee) joins CREATOR: The Podcast to discuss his remarkable evolution from YouTube pioneer to serial entrepreneur. In this episode, Caspar shares how he went from making comedy vlogs with a thousand subscribers to interviewing A-list celebrities like Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson and Ed Sheeran, revealing how he convinced major studios to take creators seriously before it became standard practice. Host Ross Borden explores Caspar's journey from teenage gamer in South Africa to building a 200-person influencer marketing agency (Influencer.com), co-founding MVE Management backed by Endeavor, and launching a $65 million VC fund (Creator Ventures) that's invested in companies like Eleven Labs and Beehiiv. Caspar offers candid insights about the creator economy's intersection with Hollywood, explaining why brands should approach creator partnerships like VCs approach startup portfolios rather than betting everything on one collaboration. He also shares his current passion project: eating a cucumber every day on TikTok to test the algorithm. Whether you're a creator looking to build beyond content or a brand executive trying to navigate influencer marketing, this conversation delivers valuable perspective on turning creative success into lasting business ventures.

00:00 - Introduction to Caspar Lee
01:25 - Caspar’s career snapshot: creator, actor, entrepreneur
02:26 - Early YouTube beginnings: gaming and first channels
03:45 - Rise with the Brick Crew and expanding audience
05:02 - Joining Musical.ly/TikTok and platform reflections
06:50 - Interviewing celebrities and working with studios
10:04 - Creators vs. Hollywood: industry perspective
13:35 - Predictions: AI, creators, and the future of content
20:00 - Why Caspar built Influencer.com
22:55 - Influencer.com: services, model, and team
24:50 - Advice for brands working with creators
28:43 - Campaign strategy: budget allocation and portfolio approach
30:55 - MVE Management: talent representation and IP
34:07 - Creator Ventures: VC thesis and portfolio support
35:52 - Fund sizes, stages, and investment approach
40:41 - Keeping a creator’s edge: TikTok experiments (the cucumber series)
43:36 - Joe & Caspar Hit the Road: the BBC travel show
45:04 - Rapid-fire: three countries Caspar would choose
47:25 - Where to follow Caspar & closing remarks