Unilever Ventures has teamed up with UK television channel, Channel 4, and digital media network, Studio 71 to search for influencers with ‘commercial potential’, according to a report published by Campaign.

Nascent influencers will be selected via a pitch process with those who make the grade offered mentoring to build their brand. The pitch process will be led by Studio 71 who is looking to identify talent operating in key commercial growth areas such as consumer products, lifestyle and entertainment.

“This is a particularly interesting project for Channel 4. As the leading young skewing channel in the UK with a remit to nurture and grow new talent, this partnership will help us to explore a new generation of on-screen talent and business entrepreneurs that might benefit from our content expertise and innovative commercial models such as the Commercial Growth Fund,” said Jonathan Allan, Chief Commercial Officer at Channel 4.

“The launch of Influencer Commerce Partnerships is the natural progression for us. We already provide a huge range of creative and business services to help our social influencers with their day jobs creating great content, and this launch allows us to really develop their full potential as entrepreneurs. Social influencers make great entrepreneurs because they have a deep and trusted relationship with millions of fans and they often have expertise in their areas and audience insights that many big brands struggle to match,” added James Stafford, Managing Director UK at Studio71.