Jimmy Donaldson, better known as MrBeast, is in talks to raise hundreds of millions of dollars in a fundraising round that would value his business empire at approximately $5 billion, according to sources familiar with the matter. The 26-year-old YouTube sensation has built an extensive brand portfolio beyond his viral videos and has engaged with multiple financial firms and wealthy investors to secure the funding.
Donaldson is reportedly looking to establish a holding company that would own and manage his various ventures, including his chocolate brand Feastables, snack company Lunchly, and his high-budget video production firm. His businesses collectively generated over $400 million in sales last year, highlighting their profitability and market strength.
Feastables, launched in January 2022, secured $5 million in funding at a $50 million valuation shortly after its inception. Lunchly, his latest venture in the snack industry, debuted in September 2024 and has yet to undergo a funding round.
MrBeast, the most subscribed YouTuber in the world with over 368 million subscribers, has revolutionised content creation with his large-scale giveaways, high-stakes challenges, and philanthropy-driven initiatives. His most popular videos, such as “$456,000 Squid Game In Real Life!” and “Last To Leave Circle Wins $500,000,” have amassed hundreds of millions of views, solidifying his influence on the platform.
Beyond YouTube, Donaldson has ventured into television with “Beast Games,” an Amazon Prime reality competition show with a $100 million production budget. Despite going over budget and personally investing “tens of millions of dollars” into the project, Donaldson’s gamble paid off, making it Amazon’s most-watched unscripted show with 50 million viewers in 25 days. Amazon has already committed to additional seasons, with discussions ongoing regarding the budget for future instalments.
The fundraising talks are still in the early stages, and the identities of potential investors remain undisclosed. However, Donaldson has previously secured investments from firms such as Alpha Wave Global, signalling confidence in his brand’s long-term growth.
If successful, the fresh funding will enable MrBeast to expand his media ventures and packaged goods businesses, solidifying his position as a dominant force in digital content and consumer products. As he continues to scale his operations, his ability to blend entertainment, business, and philanthropy remains unparalleled in the creator economy.