The Bobba Bubble Tea Controversy - A Case of Innovation or Cultural Appropriation?

Have you guys seen the clips of the recent episode of the CBC’s “Dragons’ Den”? Bobba, a Canadian bubble-tea brand, stirred up quite a debate on this episode, when the company’s founders, Sebastian Fiset and Jess Frenette, pitched their ready-to-drink bubble tea. They claimed that they had a healthier, more convenient spin on the Taiwanese classic bubble tea. However, Simu Liu, guest-starring as an investor, raised concerns about cultural appropriation while listening to their pitch.

The founders described traditional bubble tea as a “trendy, sugary drink that you queue up for and you are never quite sure about its content”, which didn’t sit well with Simu Liu. He was also not happy with the idea of “making it better” and pointed out the potential issues of taking something deeply rooted in Asian culture and presenting it as an improvement. When Liu asked about Asian representation in their company, the founders mentioned their Taiwanese partner who helps create their recipes, but this was not obvious from their products and brand.

This controversy exploded online, with some agreeing with Simu Liu’s stance and others seeing it as being overreacting. Following the backlash, Bobba apologized and acknowledged that they needed to rethink their approach to the cultural significance of bubble tea. Even investor Manjit Minhas, who initially agreed to a $1 million deal with the company, decided to back out after reflecting on the situation.

This incident, in my opinion, is a clear reminder that cultural sensitivity is more important than ever in business. Companies can’t just take elements from other cultures, repackage them, and profit without showing genuine respect or understanding. Innovation is great, but when it comes at the expense of someone else’s heritage, it becomes a problem. I think Bobba’s decision to rethink their branding is a good step, but it’s also a lesson for all businesses: cultural sensitivity isn’t optional - it’s essential.