FormatBiz | Channel 4 launches new business reality show The Profit

As many businesses fear an uncertain economic future, Channel 4 will seek to show that shrewd decisions can help businesses navigate the post-pandemic economy and still deliver a profit.

Serial entrepreneur and seasoned investor Eric Collins will host new Channel 4 business reality series, The Profit, (4 x 60’) from Kalel Productions supported by Dell Technologies. The series will follow Eric, CEO of Impact X Capital Partners, a venture capital firm supporting underrepresented entrepreneurs across Europe, in his quest to offer not only his expertise but also capital investment to four small struggling British businesses, all hoping to turnaround their fortunes and secure their future.

Collins was named by the Powerlist as one the most influential black people in Britain and is among the UK’s top 100 BAME leaders in technology by the Financial Times. He also recently joined the board of Tech Nation, a government backed organisation which helps UK startups. As The Profit, Eric will help select and personally invest in companies he thinks he can help turnaround.

Becky Cadman, Commissioning Editor for Factual Entertainment at Channel 4 said, “This dramatic format reinvents the business make-over space in a compelling way, following one of the country’s most brilliant venture capitalists as they stake not just their reputations – but their own money – on helping struggling businesses. With British businesses facing unprecedented challenges, it could hardly be more timely.”

Nick Parnes, Executive Producer for Kalel Productions commented, “Eric is a shrewd business-savvy investor. He will invest in struggling companies in return for equity, becoming temporary boss and giving the businesses a financial make-over. He needs to make it work in order to turn a profit. And save companies and jobs in the process. This is so neat, important and timely.”

The Profit is a Kalel Productions series with Nick Parnes and Mark Saben (Race Across The World, The Apprentice) serving as Executive Producers and Helen Richards as Series Producer. NBCUniversal Formats, a division of Universal Studio Group licensed The Profit format. The UK series marks the first international adaptation of the hit format, which originally aired on CNBC in the US and has been a success for seven seasons.

The Profit will air on Channel 4 later this year.