The “Be Somebody” Net Worth
In the annals of viral internet fame, few stories are as emblematic of the 2010s as that of “Be Somebody.” It began as an inspiring social media account and evolved into a multi-faceted brand with ambitions of revolutionizing education. However, its trajectory was as dramatic as its inception, leading many to ask: What was the “Be Somebody” net worth at its peak, and what is its value today?
The story of “Be Somebody’s” net worth is not a simple figure but a complex tale of viral valuation, venture capital, and the harsh realities of the market. At its zenith, the Be Somebody company was valued at an estimated $12-15 million. Today, as a dormant entity, its residual net worth is likely minimal, existing primarily in the form of intangible brand equity and digital assets.
This article will deconstruct the financial journey of “Be Somebody,” from its inspirational origins to its ambitious peak and eventual decline, providing a comprehensive look at how a modern digital brand’s value is created and dissolved.
The Financial Anatomy of a Viral Brand: Assets and Valuation
The net worth of “Be Somebody” was never about traditional assets like real estate or heavy machinery. Its value was almost entirely rooted in its brand, intellectual property, and potential for disruption.
The table below breaks down the core components that contributed to its peak valuation:
| Value Component | Peak Valuation Details (c. 2015-2017) | Current Status |
|---|---|---|
| Venture Capital Investment | Received $1.2 million in seed funding from a group of investors, including GGV Capital. This cash infusion was the primary liquid asset and set a high valuation. | Funding was likely depleted on salaries, app development, and marketing. No further rounds were raised. |
| Intellectual Property (IP) | The “Be Somebody” brand name, logo, and the proprietary technology behind its skill-sharing app constituted its core IP. | The app is defunct. The IP holds minimal residual value without an active platform. |
| Brand Equity & Social Media | At its peak, the brand had over 1 million engaged followers across platforms, a powerful marketing asset. | Social accounts are largely inactive. Brand equity is now a nostalgic artifact rather than a revenue driver. |
| The “Be Somebody” App | The functional app was a key asset, representing hundreds of thousands of dollars in development costs. | The app is no longer available or functional, rendering its value negligible. |
| Founder’s Personal Brand | Founder Darius “D-Rock” Maze was the charismatic face of the brand, a significant driver of its initial value. | While still a creative, the direct link to the “Be Somebody” corporate entity has dissolved. |
The “Be Somebody” Financial Timeline: A Story in Three Acts
Act I: The Meteoric Rise (2013-2015) – Building a Million-Dollar Brand from a Backpack
The “Be Somebody” story began not in a boardroom, but on the road. Darius Maze, known as D-Rock, started a social media project where he traveled the world, meeting his followers and learning new skills from them. The premise was simple yet powerful: everyone is an expert at something.
- Phase 1: Organic Growth & Viral Marketing: The brand’s initial value was built on pure social capital. The inspiring content—photos of D-Rock skateboarding with cops, coding with teenagers, and cooking with grandmothers—resonated deeply. It amassed a huge, organic following without a dollar spent on traditional advertising.
- Phase 2: Monetization and Partnerships: This massive audience attracted corporate partners. Be Somebody secured a landmark sponsorship with Coca-Cola, featured in a global ad campaign. This partnership alone would have been worth a high-six or low-seven-figure sum, providing the first major injection of cash and legitimizing the brand in the eyes of investors.
Net Worth at this Stage: Pre-funding, the brand’s value was based on its audience and partnerships, likely valued in the low millions.
Act II: The Pivot and Peak Valuation (2015-2017) – The $12 Million App Dream
Capitalizing on this momentum, “Be Somebody” pivoted from a social media page to a technology startup. The vision was to create a platform, often described as a “skill-sharing marketplace,” that would connect people wanting to learn with experts in their local community.
- The Venture Capital Infusion: In 2015, the company announced it had raised $1.2 million in seed funding. This is the most concrete financial figure in the brand’s history. A seed round of this size, especially for a consumer-facing app, implied a pre-money valuation of likely $8-10 million. Post-funding, the company’s valuation would have been in the $12-15 million range.
- The App Launch: The “Be Somebody” app was launched with significant hype. It represented the conversion of social media clout into a tangible, scalable product. For a brief period, “Be Somebody” was a promising ed-tech startup with a recognizable brand and venture-backed runway.
Net Worth at this Stage: This was the peak. The company’s valuation was at its highest, $12-15 million, backed by investor cash and the potential of its platform.
Act III: The Decline and Dissolution (2018-Present) – When Vision Meets Reality
The ambitious pivot ultimately proved unsustainable. Several factors led to a rapid decline in both operations and valuation:
- Product-Market Fit Challenges: The app struggled to achieve the critical mass of users and “skill-sharers” needed to become a self-sustaining marketplace. Competing in the crowded ed-tech space against giants like MasterClass and Skillshare was difficult.
- Burn Rate: The $1.2 million in funding, while substantial, can be depleted quickly by a team of developers, marketers, and other staff in a major city. Without achieving key growth metrics, securing a Series A round of funding became impossible.
- The Fickle Nature of Viral Fame: The brand’s momentum from its social media roots began to fade as it shifted focus to the app, which failed to capture the same magic.
The company slowly became dormant. The app was shut down, the team dissolved, and the social media accounts grew quiet. Without an active product, revenue stream, or team, the corporate entity’s net worth effectively dwindled to near zero.
Residual Value and Legacy: What Remains?
Today, the net worth of “Be Somebody” as a corporate entity is likely less than $50,000, consisting only of dormant website domains, social media handles, and any remaining cash from dissolved assets.
However, its legacy value is more significant. The “Be Somebody” story remains a powerful case study in:
- Viral Marketing: It is a textbook example of how to build a massive audience with authentic content.
- The Startup Journey: It highlights the challenges of transitioning from a social media phenomenon to a viable tech business.
- Brand Storytelling: The core message of empowering everyday experts remains inspiring.
Conclusion: A Valuation Built on Potential
In conclusion, the net worth of “Be Somebody” was a story of two extremes. At its peak, fueled by viral fame and venture capital, it was a $12-15 million company with a vision to disrupt learning. Today, as a non-operational entity, its financial worth is negligible.
The “Be Somebody” saga demonstrates a modern truth: in the digital age, net worth can be incredibly fluid. Value is quickly assigned to vision and potential, but it is just as quickly withdrawn when that potential fails to materialize into a sustainable business. The brand’s ultimate value may not be in a bank statement, but in the lessons it provides for the next generation of creators and entrepreneurs.