Growth Cave Review (2026): The FTC Case Behind the YouTube Ads
On This Page
- Growth Cave in One Minute
- What Growth Cave Sold
- What the FTC Alleged
- How the Case Ended
- What Customers Reported
- Is Growth Cave a Scam?
- Lessons From Growth Cave
- Pros and Cons
- Who Growth Cave Might Suit
- Our #1 Recommendation for Making Money Online in 2026
- Other Programs Readers Compare
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Our Verdict on Growth Cave
Growth Cave in One Minute
Growth Cave was an online business opportunity company led by Lucas Lee-Tyson, a young entrepreneur known for YouTube ads, and his co-CEO Osmany Batte. From around 2020 it sold courses and coaching that promised passive income from digital courses, ad agencies or consulting work, at prices of several thousand dollars and, for some upsells, tens of thousands.
In March 2025, the FTC sued Growth Cave and its leaders, alleging a scheme that cost consumers nearly $50 million. A federal court temporarily halted the operation. In January 2026, the remaining defendants settled: they are now banned from selling business opportunities and must hand over assets, including a house and luxury cars, for consumer refunds. This review explains what Growth Cave sold and what the FTC alleged.
| Company | Growth Cave, LLC |
|---|---|
| Leaders | Lucas Lee-Tyson and Osmany Batte (co-CEOs) |
| Operating since | At least 2020 |
| Main products | Knowledge Business Accelerator, Cashflow Consultant Academy, Digital Freedom Mastermind, Productized Profits |
| Prices | Thousands of dollars, with upsells of $30,000 to $50,000 |
| FTC | Sued in March 2025; alleged losses of nearly $50 million |
| Outcome | January 2026 settlements banning the defendants from selling business opportunities |
What Growth Cave Sold
| Program | What It Promised | Reported Price |
|---|---|---|
| Knowledge Business Accelerator (KBA) | Passive income from a digital course, with help creating and selling it | About $6,800 to $9,800 |
| Digital Freedom Mastermind | A done-for-you upsell for KBA buyers | $30,000 to $50,000 |
| Cashflow Consultant Academy | Training, then placement with "wealthy business owners" | Up to about $6,800 |
| Productized Profits | Building a social media ad agency | Reported at about $6,800 plus software fees |
| Buffalo Bridge | Credit repair and 0% business loans | $6,800 up front |
Later, after a 2024 rebrand, the FTC says the same model continued under names such as PassiveApps, marketed as AI-powered, and ApexMind.
What the FTC Alleged
According to the FTC's complaint, Growth Cave's YouTube ads promised buyers could "generate $20,000 to $50,000 in passive income" by creating a digital course, and Lee-Tyson said it was "literally IMPOSSIBLE to fail." Prospects were booked into "strategy calls" and told they would make money within four to six weeks, often with a $10,000 profit guarantee.
- YouTube ads and lifestyle videos drew in prospects.
- Follow-up emails and more videos pushed them to book a call.
- Sales calls promised fast results and a profit guarantee.
- Buyers paid thousands of dollars, often with credit cards or loans.
- Many were then pitched upsells costing tens of thousands more.
The FTC says buyers received generic scripts instead of custom work, struggled to reach staff, and usually made no sales. Many ended up in debt. It also alleged that Cashflow Consultant Academy rarely placed anyone with clients, that ads used undisclosed employees as endorsers, and that the credit repair service mainly opened business credit cards. The charges included violations of the FTC Act, the Business Opportunity Rule, the Credit Repair Organizations Act and the rule on consumer reviews and testimonials. Read the FTC's March 2025 announcement.
How the Case Ended
Operations manager Jordan Marksberry settled in August 2025. In January 2026, Lee-Tyson, Batte and related companies settled the remaining charges. The orders:
- Ban them from marketing or selling business opportunities and from credit repair.
- Ban misleading claims about earnings, testimonials and artificial intelligence.
- Impose judgments of about $48.6 million, partly suspended because of inability to pay.
- Require Lee-Tyson to sell assets including a multimillion-dollar house, and Batte to sell assets including a Rolls-Royce and a Ferrari, with the money going to consumer refunds.
See the FTC's settlement announcement. As is usual with settlements, the defendants did not admit wrongdoing.
What Customers Reported
Growth Cave once had a high Trustpilot score, with many reviews praising patient coaches and clear modules. Other reviews described rushed calls, slow support, promised help that never arrived, programs closing, and financing through a third-party lender at high interest. Trustpilot now shows that the company's website has closed. The FTC's case suggests that positive reviews alone were not a reliable guide.
Is Growth Cave a Scam?
The FTC alleged that it was a deceptive business opportunity scheme, and its leaders are now banned from selling business opportunities. Growth Cave is no longer operating. If anyone pitches a "new" program with the same promises, passive income from a course or guaranteed consulting clients, treat it with extreme caution.
Lessons From Growth Cave
- "Impossible to fail" is a red flag. No real business is guaranteed.
- Profit guarantees can be meaningless if the conditions are hard to meet or the company won't pay.
- Be wary of being pushed to borrow to pay for a course.
- Lifestyle videos aren't proof. The FTC says Growth Cave's luxury lifestyle was funded by buyers' losses.
The FTC's guide to spotting business coaching scams covers these warning signs.
Pros and Cons
What Stands Out
- Some buyers praised individual coaches
- FTC settlements require assets to go to consumer refunds
What to Weigh Up
- FTC alleged losses of nearly $50 million
- Promised passive income and "impossible to fail" results
- Upsells of $30,000 to $50,000
- Buyers pushed into credit and loans
- Undisclosed employees used as endorsers
- Leaders now banned from selling business opportunities
Who Growth Cave Might Suit
No one. The company is closed and its leaders are banned from selling business opportunities.
Our #1 Recommendation for Making Money Online in 2026
If Growth Cave isn't the right fit for you, here's what we suggest instead.
After comparing hundreds of programs over the years, we know what works and what doesn't. In fact, most of the business opportunities are either instant cash grab schemes or scams or they require experience. However, this beginner-friendly system stood out and is our #1 recommendation for 2026.
Other Programs Readers Compare
- Douglas James review: a high-ticket lead generation coach.
- Modern Millionaires review: another high-ticket coaching program.
- IM Mastery Academy review: a program that faced a major FTC case.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Happened to Growth Cave?
The FTC sued it in March 2025 and a court halted the operation. In January 2026, its leaders settled and were banned from selling business opportunities.
Who Owns Growth Cave?
It was run by co-CEOs Lucas Lee-Tyson and Osmany Batte.
How Much Did Growth Cave Cost?
Main programs cost several thousand dollars, and upsells such as the Digital Freedom Mastermind cost $30,000 to $50,000.
Can Growth Cave Buyers Get Refunds?
The FTC says money from the defendants' assets will go to consumer redress. Check the FTC's case page for updates on refunds.
Our Verdict on Growth Cave
Growth Cave sold expensive programs with promises of easy passive income, and the FTC says buyers lost nearly $50 million. Its leaders are now banned from the business. Avoid any program built on the same pitch.
Looking for a Better Starting Point Than Growth Cave?
Consider our #1 recommendation for making money online in 2026.