NextBillion - An Initiative of the William Davidson Institute at the University of Michigan

Friday, April 3, 2015

The Entourage actor talks entrepreneurship and his upcoming stint as a judge in a start-up pitch contest.

When interviewing Entourage actor Adrian Grenier, steer clear of questions about tequila.

Avion tequila plays a staring role in the hit HBO show as a business venture promoted by one of the characters on the show. But Grenier declined to discuss it. Perhaps he’s shy because the drink is rumored to appear in the upcoming Entouragefilm that is due in theaters later this year. Actors certainly don’t want to spoil potential plot lines.

Grenier is more chatty about whale documentaries and his beer company, Churchkey Can Co. He’s also happy to discuss his role as pitchman for Dell computers, which recently hired him as “social good advocate.” Unsure of what that means? Check out this Fortune story.

Fortune sat down with Grenier to talk about yet another role he’s taking on: Judge of a business start-up competition. He will help decide which of five entrepreneurs will be awarded $1 million. “The Venture,” reminiscent of the entrepreneur pitching show “Shark Tank,” is sponsored by Scotch brand Chivas Regal. The judges will also include Alexandre Ricard, CEO of Pernod Ricard’s PDRDY 1.77% , which owns Chivas Regal.

Grenier, who is most known for playing Vincent Chase, an A-list movie star on Entourage, outlined what he will be looking for in the winner.