Sam Rason: The Tech Entrepreneur Bridging the UK and China’s Digital Worlds
Sam Rason is a London-based tech entrepreneur best known as the co-founder of VIVA, a company that helps Western brands successfully enter and grow within the Chinese digital market. With more than a decade of experience in startups, SaaS solutions, and cross-cultural marketing, he has built a reputation as a specialist in WeChat and RedNote Mini Program development.
Beyond business, Sam Rason has also attracted public attention due to his relationship with former Love Island UK contestant Amy Hart.
However, long before public recognition through reality TV associations, he was already building businesses and carving out a niche in one of the world’s most complex digital ecosystems.
Sam Rason Age and Early Background
He was born on January 1, 1988, which makes him 38 years old. His birthday has been publicly acknowledged on social media, confirming his birth year.
Raised in the United Kingdom, Sam pursued higher education with a clear interest in international markets and consumer behavior. He attended Bournemouth University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Business from 2007 to 2011. His studies focused heavily on cross-cultural marketing and understanding how cultural differences influence buying decisions. That foundation would later become central to his entrepreneurial career.
Sam Rason’s Education and Entrepreneurial Foundations
Bournemouth University
During his time at Bournemouth University, Sam developed a strong interest in global markets and consumer psychology. His academic exposure to international business theory and cultural marketing strategies helped shape his future direction toward cross-border commerce.
Accelerator Academy
In 2016, he participated in the Accelerator Academy in London. This intensive 12-week program focused on high-growth digital entrepreneurship, mentorship, and capital access. The experience strengthened his startup leadership skills and expanded his professional network.
Startup Leadership Program
From 2017 to 2018, Sam was selected as a Fellow in the Startup Leadership Program. This selective global program is designed for founders and startup CEOs. Being chosen for this program highlighted his potential as a serious entrepreneur operating in competitive digital markets.
The Creation of VIVA and Entry Into the Chinese Market
From Din Dins to VIVA
In late 2015, Sam Rason and his business partner Sze Lee founded a company originally called Din Dins. The concept helped Chinese diners discover restaurants and view translated menus through WeChat. What began as a niche hospitality-focused tool eventually evolved into something much larger.
The business rebranded into VIVA, expanding its services to help Western brands connect directly with Chinese consumers using Mini Programs within platforms like WeChat and RedNote.
What VIVA Does
VIVA specializes in building customized Mini Programs that allow brands to operate inside the Chinese digital ecosystem. Rather than relying on traditional Western platforms, businesses can meet Chinese customers in the online spaces they already use daily.
The company particularly focuses on student-related industries, including purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA), co-living, and build-to-rent housing models. Through SaaS-driven tools, VIVA simplifies market entry by helping brands generate leads, convert customers, and collect meaningful data insights.
Chinese Digital Expertise
Sam has spent over eight years working extensively with platforms such as:
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WeChat
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Weibo
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RedNote (Little Red Book)
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Various emerging Chinese social platforms
His expertise lies in understanding what strategies succeed and what fail in China’s highly regulated and culturally distinct online environment.
Zubitu – Sam Rason’s First Startup
Before VIVA, Sam founded Zubitu in 2013. Zubitu was a student collaboration platform designed to connect university students across the UK. It aimed to help students share research projects, build networks, and manage academic work in a structured environment.
Although Zubitu operated from 2013 to 2015, it provided critical early entrepreneurial lessons. It allowed Sam to refine product-market fit strategies and understand the challenges of building tech platforms for young audiences.
Sam Rason Love Island Connection
Search interest around Sam Rason Love Island increased after he became publicly associated with Amy Hart, a former contestant from Love Island UK Season 5.
Although Sam himself never appeared as a contestant on the show, his relationship with Amy Hart brought him into mainstream public discussion. As Amy’s popularity grew following her television appearance, public curiosity naturally extended to her partner.
The couple frequently shares aspects of their life on social media, giving followers insight into both their family life and business journeys.
Amy Hart and Sam Rason
The relationship between Amy Hart and Sam Rason has been openly shared with fans. Their partnership has drawn attention not only because of Amy’s reality TV background but also because of their visible family dynamic.
Amy has publicly referred to Sam as “the best Dad & Husband,” confirming that he is now married. The phrase Sam Rason husband is frequently searched, and based on public statements, he is indeed Amy Hart’s husband.
The couple shares a son and often post family-focused content. Their relationship timeline includes:
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Public engagement
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Marriage confirmation through social media captions
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Parenthood
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Open conversations about family life
Despite public attention, Sam maintains a relatively grounded and business-focused public image.
Social Media Presence
Sam Rason is active on Instagram under the username samuelrason. His profile describes him as a tech entrepreneur and links to his professional presence.
With over 37,000 followers and hundreds of posts, his content includes:
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Entrepreneurial insights
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Family moments
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Travel
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Industry events
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Business achievements
While he is not primarily an influencer, his online presence complements his professional credibility and personal brand.
Leadership Style and Business Philosophy
Sam’s leadership approach blends cross-cultural marketing knowledge with data-driven SaaS strategy. His company focuses on measurable outcomes rather than vanity metrics. By helping brands understand China’s consumer behavior, he positions VIVA as a bridge between Western businesses and Chinese audiences.
He often emphasizes:
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Simplifying complexity
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Cultural awareness
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Measurable ROI
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Direct sales enablement
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Digital ecosystem adaptation
His international business background clearly influences how he structures market-entry strategies.
Professional Recognition and Industry Position
Although not a traditional celebrity, Sam has built credibility within niche markets, particularly among:
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Student housing operators
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Real estate developers targeting Chinese students
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UK brands entering China
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SaaS technology circles
His long-term commitment to the Chinese digital ecosystem has made him a trusted advisor in that space.
Personal Life Balance and Public Image
Unlike many entrepreneurs who focus purely on business branding, Sam balances family visibility with professional positioning. His public identity blends:
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Entrepreneur
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Husband
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Father
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Cross-border marketing specialist
This balance has contributed to public curiosity about Sam Rason age, his marriage, and his career trajectory.
Future Outlook
With China’s digital landscape continuously evolving, companies that understand regulatory shifts and platform behaviors are in high demand. Sam’s long-term positioning in this ecosystem gives him strategic advantage.
As VIVA continues to expand its SaaS offerings and Mini Program solutions, Sam is likely to remain a relevant figure in UK-China digital commerce circles.
At the same time, his public visibility through his relationship with Amy Hart ensures ongoing interest in his personal life, including searches related to Sam Rason Love Island connections and family updates.
Conclusion
Sam Rason represents a modern entrepreneur who successfully blends international business education, startup resilience, and cross-cultural expertise. From launching Zubitu to building VIVA into a China-focused SaaS company, his career reflects consistent innovation and adaptability.
His story is one of global ambition, digital expertise, and strategic positioning in one of the world’s most complex online markets.
FAQs
1. Who is Sam Rason?
Sam Rason is a British tech entrepreneur and the co-founder of VIVA, a company that helps Western brands connect with Chinese customers through WeChat and RedNote Mini Programs. He is also publicly known as the husband of former Love Island UK contestant Amy Hart.
2. How old is Sam Rason?
Sam Rason was born on January 1, 1988. He is 38 years old.
3. Is Sam Rason married?
Yes, Sam Rason is married. He is the husband of Amy Hart, who appeared on Love Island UK Season 5. They share a child together.
4. Was Sam Rason on Love Island?
No, Sam Rason was not a contestant on Love Island. He became known to the public through his relationship with Amy Hart, who appeared on the show.
5. What does Sam Rason do for a living?
Sam Rason is a tech entrepreneur. He founded VIVA, a company specializing in helping brands enter the Chinese digital market through customized Mini Program solutions.
