yann lecun

If you’ve been anywhere near the internet in the last decade, you’ve probably heard of MrBeast. Jimmy Donaldson, the 26-year-old YouTube phenom, has built an empire on outrageous stunts, jaw-dropping giveaways, and a knack for keeping millions of eyeballs glued to his content. Now, reports are swirling that he’s seeking a $5 billion valuation for his business, raising a couple hundred million dollars to fuel his next phase of growth. That’s billion with a “B”—a number that’s hard to wrap your head around for a guy who started out counting to 100,000 on camera. So, what does this mean? Is MrBeast the future of media, or is this a bubble waiting to pop?

The Rise of a Digital Titan

MrBeast’s journey is the stuff of legend at this point. From humble beginnings in North Carolina, he’s grown into the most-subscribed YouTuber on the planet, boasting over 368 million subscribers as of early 2025 (and that’s just his main channel). His videos—like recreating Squid Game for $3.5 million or giving away islands—aren’t cheap, but they rack up hundreds of millions of views. Beyond YouTube, he’s launched Feastables (a chocolate brand), MrBeast Burger (a fast-food chain), and Lunchly (a snack line), turning his online fame into a sprawling business portfolio. Last year alone, his ventures reportedly pulled in over $400 million in revenue, with projections for 2024 hitting $700 million. Not bad for a guy who once spent 24 hours in a circle for kicks.

Now, he’s pitching investors on a $5 billion valuation. That’s a 10x multiple on last year’s revenue, which sounds insane—until you consider the scale of his audience and influence. His Beast Games show on Amazon Prime became the platform’s most-watched unscripted series ever, pulling in 50 million viewers in 25 days. For context, that’s Super Bowl territory, but with a fraction of the production overhead of traditional TV. Add in his global reach—750 million followers across platforms—and you start to see why investors might be salivating.

Why $5 Billion Makes Sense

Let’s break this down. MrBeast isn’t just a YouTuber anymore; he’s a one-man media conglomerate. His business model blends content and commerce in a way that’s rare and powerful. YouTube ads might bring in $3 million a month, but the real money is in his brands. Feastables reportedly did $100 million in sales in its first year, and MrBeast Burger has sold millions of burgers through ghost kitchens. This isn’t just a channel; it’s a platform for launching consumer products at scale, backed by a loyal fanbase that trusts him implicitly.

Compare that to traditional media. A Super Bowl ad costs $5 million for 30 seconds and reaches 100 million people. MrBeast’s top videos hit 300 million views—and he controls the narrative, the runtime, and the merchandising tie-ins. Finance expert Patrick Bet-David once pegged his empire at $10-20 billion, arguing that his influence rivals major networks. At $5 billion, he’s still undervalued by that metric. Plus, he’s only 26. If he keeps growing at this pace—125% year-over-year for commerce, per some estimates—this could look like a steal in five years.

Then there’s the creator economy angle. MrBeast is proving that influencers can transcend platforms and build lasting businesses. The Kardashians turned reality TV into billion-dollar brands like Skims and Kylie Cosmetics. MrBeast is doing the same, but with a digital-first approach that’s cheaper to scale and harder to replicate. If he pulls this off, he’s not just a success story—he’s a blueprint.

The Risks: Is This Sustainable?

But here’s where I pause. A $5 billion valuation assumes a lot. For one, MrBeast’s empire is a “key man” risk on steroids. Jimmy is the brand—his energy, his vision, his face. If he burns out, gets canceled, or steps away, what happens? His team is talented, but they’re not the draw. Feastables might survive as a standalone, but the content machine that fuels it all relies on him pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. And those boundaries keep getting pricier—Beast Games reportedly cost him tens of millions out of pocket.

Then there’s profitability. Despite $400 million in sales, MrBeast isn’t swimming in cash—he’s reinvesting almost everything. He told the Diary of a CEO podcast his liquid cash is under $1 million, a wild stat for someone Forbes pegged at $85 million in earnings last year. That’s a razor-thin margin for a $5 billion valuation. BuzzFeed, once a digital darling, crashed from a $1.5 billion valuation to $75 million when its growth stalled. If MrBeast’s viewership dips or his commerce bets falter, investors could get nervous.

And let’s talk competition. The creator space is crowded, and attention is finite. MrBeast thrives on being the biggest, boldest guy in the room, but what happens when the next stunt doesn’t top the last? His fans expect escalation—$456,000 giveaways today, $1 million tomorrow. That’s a treadmill that’s tough to sustain without infinite capital.

My Take: Bold, Brilliant, and a Bit Bonkers

So, what do I think? I’m torn. On one hand, MrBeast’s $5 billion valuation feels like a masterstroke. He’s redefined what it means to be a creator, blending entertainment, philanthropy, and entrepreneurship into a juggernaut that’s rewriting the rules. He’s got the numbers—views, followers, revenue—to back it up, and his track record suggests he’ll keep innovating. If anyone can turn viral fame into a lasting empire, it’s him.

On the other hand, $5 billion is a bet on the future, not the present. It’s a vote of confidence in Jimmy Donaldson’s ability to defy gravity, avoid scandal, and keep the world hooked. That’s a tall order, even for a guy who buried himself alive for views. I’d feel better at, say, $3 billion—still massive, but with a cushion for the risks. Still, he’s turned down $1 billion offers before, so he’s clearly playing a longer game.

In the end, I’m rooting for him. MrBeast represents a shift—proof that a kid with a camera can outmaneuver Hollywood and build something bigger. Whether that’s worth $5 billion today? Maybe not yet. But give him a few more years, and I wouldn’t bet against him hitting that mark—or blowing past it. What do you think—is MrBeast the Disney of the digital age, or a hype train speeding toward a cliff? Let’s hear it in the comments.