Boba tea company apologizes for the controversy on Canada’s Dragon’s Den

A Canadian boba tea company has issued an apology after Marvel actor Simu Liu accused them of cultural appropriation during an episode of *Dragons’ Den*.

In the show, the Quebec-based bubble tea brand Bobba pitched their drink to potential investors, including Liu, claiming they were “disrupting” the bubble tea market by using just three simple ingredients to create a “convenient and healthier” option. Liu challenged their approach, expressing concern over the term “disrupting” and questioning whether the entrepreneurs, Sebastien Fiset and Jess Frenette, had staff who understood the cultural significance of boba, which is made with tapioca balls.

Fiset defended their approach, stating their “best partner” was in Taiwan, where they sourced all the recipes. The episode sparked a social media backlash against the Bobba owners.

On Monday, the owners apologized, acknowledging the harm caused by their words and actions on the show. They recognized Liu’s valid points about cultural appropriation and committed to reevaluating their branding and marketing to better reflect their Taiwanese partnership and the cultural roots of bubble tea.

Liu also took to social media to address the situation, emphasizing that while he chose not to invest in the company due to the issues he raised, he did not support the harassment directed at the entrepreneurs.

Another judge on the show, Manjit Minhas, initially agreed to invest but later reversed her decision, stating that after further reflection and listening to public opinion, she would not be investing in Bobba Tea. She noted that she had to turn off comments on her social media due to the abusive messages received since the episode aired, adding that sending hate to entrepreneurs is never acceptable.