How a ‘TikTok doctorate’ made 26-year-old Griffin Johnson a venture capitalist

In February 2019, Griffin Johnson was a junior in college, studying nursing and working in a steel factory. Six years later, he’s co-founder of Animal Capital, a venture fund, a journey he credits almost entirely to TikTok and the connections he’s made along the way. Johnson built a TikTok audience around “complaining about student life,” he told Digiday (at the time of writing, he has 9.5 million followers on TikTok and 3 million on Instagram). After building that following, Johnson met a group of two other like-minded creators through the platform and decided to buy a house together, starting the now-infamous TikTok content house — dubbed Sway House — in January 2020. “Our investment paid off, because two months later, COVID hit and TikTok booms,” Johnson said. “This is where it really all began in terms of the TikTok creator economy.”

Sway House was like a TikTok frat house: their content often involved several members doing dance trends or lip-syncing to funny audio, while neighbors reported regular food deliveries, the sound of paintball guns firing in the morning, “chug chants,” and more. The house became a hub for creators, and its residents, including Johnson, gained significant popularity. The platform’s rapid growth during the pandemic allowed creators like Johnson to monetize their content and build a strong brand.

Johnson’s TikTok success led him to explore new opportunities. In 2021, he left nursing school to focus on his entrepreneurial ventures. He co-founded Animal Capital, a venture fund that invests in early-stage startups, particularly those in the creative and tech sectors. The firm’s name is a nod to the Sway House’s “animal” theme, which was popular among its followers.

Johnson’s marketing expertise, honed through his time on TikTok, proved invaluable in launching Animal Capital. He leveraged his connections within the creator community to attract investors and founders. Many of his TikTok followers became early adopters of the firm’s portfolio companies, helping to build their user bases.

In addition to his work in venture capital, Johnson remains active in the Derby world. He has used his platform to promote the sport and connect fans with the athletes and brands involved. His ability to blend the worlds of social media and traditional business has made him a unique figure in the industry.

Johnson’s story highlights the potential of the creator economy and the impact of platforms like TikTok on shaping careers. By turning his passion for complaining about student life into a successful venture, he has proven that even the most unexpected paths can lead to success. As the TikTok creator economy continues to grow, it remains to be seen how many other Griffin Johnsons will emerge and reshape the business landscape.