YouTube star MrBeast is raising money at a $5 billion valuation

YouTube star MrBeast is looking to raise a couple hundred million dollars to expand his business in a funding round that would value his company at about $5 billion, according to people familiar with the matter.

The most popular creator on YouTube has spoken with several financial firms and wealthy individuals about investing, said the people, who declined to be identified because the talks are confidential. Talks are still in their early stages and it’s not yet clear who will invest or if they will do so at the target price.

The online star, whose real name is Jimmy Donaldson, is raising money to fund a holding company that owns all or part of several businesses, including the chocolates brand Feastables, the snack company Lunchly and his video production company. The business is profitable and generated more than $400 million in sales last year, said two of the people. He is looking to expand both his packaged goods and media businesses.

MrBeast is best known for his work on YouTube, where he posts videos of large-scale challenges and giveaways that generate hundreds of millions of views. Creators share in the advertising sales that their videos generate.