Owning a startup is a rollercoaster ride. As an entrepreneur, you sure have a tight schedule, and binge-watching can be a big commitment for you. But these 15 startup TV shows will blow your mind and help you understand the startup culture much better. Put these on your watch list today!
1. Silicon Valley
What's the show about:
Mike Judge's critically acclaimed sitcom Silicon Valley is about a bunch of young, ambitious software developers and programmers working in the 1980s in Silicon Valley.
Why watch this:
It's a relatable show for entrepreneurs and helps you learn about entrepreneurship's good and bad sides.
Factsheet:
- IMDB Rating: 8.5/10
- Released in: 2014
- Where to watch: HBO, Hulu, Youtube TV, Hotstar (India)
2. Shark Tank
What's the show about:
Entrepreneurs looking for funding appear on the popular reality show Shark Tank, where they pitch their ideas to a panel of five investors (the "sharks") who ultimately decide whether or not to become the entrepreneurs' business partners.
Why watch this:
The show will encourage you to strive for your dreams, besides helping you understand complex business jargon.
Factsheet:
- IMDB Rating: 7.6/10
- Released in: 2009
- Where to watch: ABC (U.S.), Netflix (U.K. & India)
3. Dragons' Den
What's the show about:
Initially broadcast in Japan, Dragons' Den has now been adapted for other audiences. Over thirty local versions of the show were released, but the British show is the most successful series. It inspired Mark Burnett to create Shark Tank.
Why watch this:
If, as an entrepreneur, you want some ideas about how to pitch your venture, then you should check out Dragons' Den.
Factsheet:
- IMDB Rating: 6.8/10
- Released in: 2005
- Where to watch: BBC (U.K.); BBC America (U.S.)
4. Mad Men
What's the show about:
The fictitious Sterling Cooper advertising firm in 1960s New York City is the setting for Mad Men. It follows the lives of the agency's employees.
Why watch this:
This is the ups and downs of a business's lifetime and how it affects the lives of those associated with it. Moreover, it stresses the need to invest in one's development and the value of making the most of one's time.
Factsheet:
- IMDB Rating: *.1/10
- Released in: 2007
- Where to watch: AMC, Prime Video,
5. WeCrashed
What's the show about:
WeCrashed is partly based on the real-life narrative of WeWork's growth and collapse. WeWork was founded by Israeli tycoon Adam Neumann (Jared Leto in WeCrashed), who saw a need for a shared office space to accommodate the expanding number of people employed in the gig economy.
Why watch this:
It's based on a true story, though several parts are tweaked. Still, as an entrepreneur, you can learn about what mistakes not to make in your business.
Factsheet:
- IMDB Rating: 7.2/10
- Released in: 2019
- Where to watch: Apple TV
6. Planet of the Apps
What's the show about:
Apple's first original T.V. program, Planet of the Apps, is presented by Gary Vaynerchuk, Jessica Alba, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Will.I.Am. It's like "Shark Tank," except for mobile applications.
Why watch this:
Despite the series' reputation for egotism, it's nevertheless entertaining and full of valuable lessons for entrepreneurs from the app or tech industries.
Factsheet:
- IMDB Rating: 6.0/10
- Released in: 2017
- Where to watch: Apple TV
7. Inside Bill's brain, Decoding Bill Gates
What's the show about:
Bill Gates, the former CEO of Microsoft and one of the world's wealthiest persons, is the topic of this Netflix documentation. His life, including his work life at Microsoft, is shown closely.
Why watch this:
You can learn and apply Bill Gates's thought process to improve your business and personal life.
Factsheet:
- IMDB Rating: 7.9/10
- Released in: 2019
- Where to watch: Netflix
8. Startup
What's the show about:
The web series StartUp chronicles the early days of GenCon, a groundbreaking yet divisive cryptocurrency. It has an impressive ensemble cast with Adam Brody, Edi Gathegi, and Otmara Marrero.
Why watch this:
An entrepreneur must be resilient enough to deal with both success and failure. Flexibility is a core concept that you'll learn about on The StartUp Show.
Factsheet:
- IMDB Rating: 7.8/10
- Released in: 2016
- Where to watch: Sony Crackle (USA); Amazon Prime (India)
9. GirlBoss
What's the show about:
Girlboss is adapted from the memoir of Sophia Amoruso. She was rebellious but broke when she launched the resale clothes business that would eventually earn almost $300 million in sales by the time she was 22.
Why watch this:
This show highlights the struggle a woman faces when she tries to pursue entrepreneurship.
Factsheet:
- IMDB Rating: 6.9
- Released in: 2017
- Where to watch: Netflix
10. The Grand Hustle
What's the show about:
American reality show "The Grand Hustle" follows sixteen men and women as they compete in street-based "hustles" around Atlanta to win a high-paying position with one of T.I.'s companies.
Why watch this:
The Grand Hustle shows entrepreneurs' daily difficulties and competition as they try to get the "ideal" position.
Factsheet:
- IMDB Rating: 7/10
- Released in: 2018
- Where to watch: BET
11. The Dropout
What's the show about:
The Dropout is a Netflix original series about Elizabeth Holmes, the co-founder of Theranos, an innovative blood-testing company that would eventually revolutionize the medical world.
Why watch this:
Though some people have called it controversial, you can still watch it to enjoy the ride of the business part. 7.6/10
Factsheet:
- IMDB Rating: 7.5/10
- Released in: 2022
- Where to watch: Hulu (U.S.); Hotstar Disney+ (India)
12. The Profit
What's the show about:
The Profit is a docu-series about Camping World's CEO, Marcus Lemonis. Lemonis tries to salvage struggling small businesses by investing money in return for a part in the enterprises.
Why watch this:
It's a great show to help budding business owners learn to toughen themselves through lean times and accept assistance when things go rough.
Factsheet:
- IMDB Rating: 8.3/10
- Released in: 2013
- Where to watch: CNBC
13. Billion Dollar Buyer
What's the show about:
Tilman Fertitta, CEO of Landry's, Inc. and a millionaire, hosts this business reality program. Tilman spends 60 minutes every episode checking in on new and exciting hospitality items around the United States.
Why watch this:
Billion Dollar Buyer educates entrepreneurs on the value of selflessly serving others.
Factsheet:
- IMDB Rating: 7.6/10
- Released in: 2016
- Where to watch: CNBC
14. Self Employed
What's the show about:
In his quest to encourage other entrepreneurs, businessman Jonathan Morris travels the nation speaking about the trials and triumphs of starting and growing a company.
Why watch this:
"Self-Employed" shows the real people who got off the ground and what obstacles they had to jump over.
Factsheet:
- IMDB Rating: 8.4
- Released in: 2021
- Where to watch: Prime TV
15. Mary Queen of Shops
What's the show about:
Mary Portas, a famous British retail consultant, hosts a Mary Queen of Shops business program. In each episode, Portas travels the United Kingdom searching for troubled shops and boutiques to save.
Why watch this:
Observing the real-life problems and Mary's solution process will help entrepreneurs to decode the loopholes in their business.
Factsheet:
- IMDB Rating: 7.9
- Released in: 2007
- Where to watch: Youtube
That Was Our List of Top 15 TV Series About Startups
Taking a break is essential. It allows entrepreneurs to explore more ideas.
So take a break from your daily grind. Watch these startup TV shows guilt-free.
We guarantee you’ll learn a lot!
