Griffin Johnson
Griffin Johnson | |
|---|---|
| Born | January 13, 1999 |
| Education | Indiana State University |
| Occupations | Venture capitalist, social media influencer, former factory worker |
Griffin Johnson (born 1999) is an American social media influencer and venture capitalist who began social media in 2019. He became a founding member of content creation house Sway House in 2020. In 2021, he founded a venture-capital fund, Animal Capitol. Since 2024, he has partnered with groups affiliated with horse racing to promote the sport. He has been described as one of the most influential figures in popularizing horse racing, and was named New Owner of the Year in 2025.
Biography
[edit]Griffin Johnson was born on January 13, 1999, in Paris, Illinois.[1] He stated that during high school, he "truly was a nobody". He attended Indiana State University, where he studied nursing. He worked as a part-time factory worker[2] at a steel factory during college.[3]
He began creating social media content in 2019, and soon went viral on social media. In 2020, he moved to Los Angeles to become a founding member of content-creating collective Sway House, known as the "bad boys of early TikTok"[2] and described as like a frat house.[3] Here, he created content and also participated in a cooking show.[4]
He began getting involved in business by signing deals with music companies to promote songs through his reels, and went on to promote consumer packaged goods. That same year, he, along with the other members of Sway House, gave investor-focused Clubhouse chats to people including Bethenny Frankel and Mark Cuban on advertising to Gen Z.[3]
In 2021, along with Josh Richards, he co-founded a venture capital fund, Animal Capital.[2] The capital fund has invested in companies including Whop, Roblox, and Colossal Biosciences. He also personally invested in brands including Poppi.[3] That same year, he acted in and produced a country club comedy feature film called Diamond in the Rough, alongside Samantha Boscarino.[5][6]
In 2024, he partnered with America's Best Racing, where he received a percentage of equity in Sandman in exchange for creating content promoting horse races.[7] He stated that "the bug caught" him when Sandman won the Arkansas Derby, where he took home about 20,000 dollars, but he also stated that "Horse racing, I don't think can ever be framed as profitable." He has stated a main reason for being involved as it being "a really good gateway opportunity for business" where "there's a lot of billionaires." He has since acquired equity in three other racehorses through similar deals as with Sandman.[2][8]
He has emphasized creating a fandom around his specific horses, which was credited with creating a large amount buzz around Sandman as the horse competed in the Kentucky Derby.[9][10] West Points Thoroughbreds founder Terry Finley stated "There's nobody in the history of our game that has had as much impact on generating interest as Griffin Johnson.", while Turf Publicists of America president Najja Thompson stated that "Griffin Johnson has helped grow horse racing by bringing our sport unprecedented exposure."[10] He was named New Owner of the Year in 2025.[11] According to IdolHorse, critics argued, however, that he was not a "real owner".[12] He was also awarded the Big Sport of Turfdom Award that same year.[13]
As of 2026, he had more than 12 million followers across social media, and primarily posted about horse racing.[3] His content includes his own interactions with horses and watching the racing,[2] including showing him washing and feeding Sandman.[10][14]
He also co-launched CrossCheck Sports Management and Gen-Z marketing firm HawkeX with Richards.[15][16] He is signed with ICM Partners.[17]
Personal life
[edit]He was previously in a relationship with Dixie D'Amelio.[18] He has cited Kelly Osbourne as a mentor.[19]
References
[edit]- ↑ "Griffin Johnson - Actor". TV Insider. Retrieved 2026-09-01.
- 1 2 3 4 5 Spellings, Sarah (2026-05-01). "Horse Racing Fans Are Old. He Aims to Change That". Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Retrieved 2026-09-01.
- 1 2 3 4 5 Mercante, Alyssa (2026-04-02). "How a 'TikTok doctorate' made 26-year-old Griffin Johnson a venture capitalist". Digiday. Retrieved 2026-09-01.
- ↑ Honkus, Mary (July 30, 2020). "TikTok Stars Noah Beck and Griffin Johnson Star in New YouTube Cooking Competition". People. Retrieved September 1, 2026.
- ↑ Spangler, Todd (2021-11-18). "Samantha Boscarino, Griffin Johnson to Star in 'Diamond in the Rough' Movie From Creator Plus (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 2026-09-01.
- ↑ Vlessing, Etan (2021-11-18). "TikToker Griffin Johnson to Star in, Produce 'Diamond in the Rough' From Creator+". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2026-09-01.
- ↑ Baarlaer, Killian. "How is TikTok star Griffin Johnson connected to Kentucky Derby contender Sandman?". The Courier-Journal. Retrieved 2026-09-01.
- ↑ AlBaroudi, Wajih. "Does Griffin Johnson have horses in 2026 Kentucky Derby or Kentucky Oaks?". For The Win. Retrieved 2026-09-01.
- ↑ "Actor and Producer Griffin Johnson Celebrates as Sandman Qualifies for Kentucky Derby". Horse Racing On SI. 2025-04-02. Retrieved 2026-09-01.
- 1 2 3 Coskrey, Jason (2025-12-23). "How one influencer is bringing new energy to horse racing". The Japan Times. Retrieved 2026-09-01.
- ↑ "Influencer Johnson Selected as New Owner of the Year". OwnerView via BloodHorse. Retrieved 2026-09-01.
- ↑ "Griffin Johnson To Umamusume: Why Generation Z And Beyond Offers Opportunity For Horse Racing". Idol Horse. Retrieved 2026-09-01.
- ↑ "Influencer Griffin Johnson Wins 2025 Big Sport of Turfdom Award". www.americasbestracing.net. Retrieved 2026-09-01.
- ↑ Leitch, Victoria (2025-04-24). "Paris native Griffin Johnson makes Kentucky Derby debut". The Prairie Press. Retrieved 2026-09-01.
- ↑ Vault Jr., Jacoby (May 1, 2021). "Josh Richards, Griffin Johnson, And Business Partner Launch CrossCheck Sports". Sports Agent Blog. Retrieved 2026-09-01.
- ↑ Weiss, Geoff (2021-06-14). "Josh Richards And Griffin Johnson Launch Gen Z-Focused Marketing Firm 'HawkeZ'". Tubefilter. Retrieved 2026-09-01.
- ↑ Vlessing, Etan (2021-04-01). "TikToker Griffin Johnson Signs With ICM Partners (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2026-09-01.
- ↑ "Dixie D'amelio Says Her Relationship with Griffin Johnson Was "Dumb and Immature"". Seventeen. 2021-05-20. Retrieved 2026-09-01.
- ↑ Schwartz, Lana (2021-11-30). "The Truth About Kelly Osbourne's Relationship With TikTok Star Griffin Johnson". The List. Retrieved 2026-09-01.