📺 19 Must-Watch Series on Venture Capital and Startup Industry

The Ultimate Guide: 19 Must-Watch Series on Venture Capital and the Startup Industry

The venture capital and startup industry have always been at the forefront of innovation and high-stakes investment.

It's a world filled with larger-than-life personalities, breakthrough technologies, and game-changing business models.

Whether you're an entrepreneur, an investor, or someone fascinated by this dynamic ecosystem, television and film have provided numerous ways to delve deeper into this world.

Here's your ultimate guide to 18 series that give you an insider's look into the highs, lows, and everything in between of this fascinating industry.

The Original Top 19

1. "Silicon Valley" (2014) A comedy series that offers a humorous yet astute look into the startup culture, specifically in Silicon Valley, complete with its quirks and cut-throat competitiveness.
2. "Shark Tank" (2009) An engaging reality TV show where entrepreneurs pitch their business ideas to a panel of venture capitalists. A must-watch to understand investor perspectives. The English version is called "Dragons Den"
3. "Billions" (2016) Focused on high finance and power, this drama, while not directly about venture capital, indirectly shows the impact of big money on startups.
4. "StartUp" (2016) A crime thriller based on a startup that deals in digital currency, highlighting the darker aspects of venture funding.
5. "Halt and Catch Fire" (2014) Set in the Silicon Prairie of Texas in the 1980s, this series offers timeless lessons in innovation and teamwork within startups.
6. "Valley of the Boom" (2019) A docudrama about the rise and fall of tech startups during the 1990s internet bubble.
7. "The Inventor: Out for Blood in Silicon Valley" (2019) A documentary about the scandalous downfall of Theranos, once a biotech darling in Silicon Valley.
8. "Equity" (2016) A film that gives us a female perspective on Wall Street and venture capital, focused on the healthcare startup sector.
9. "How to Make It in America" (2010) A comedy-drama about the grind involved in setting up a fashion startup in New York.
10. "The Profit" (2013) A reality show where Marcus Lemonis offers his business acumen and investment to struggling businesses.
11. "The Dropout" (2022) A dramatized account of the rise and fall of Theranos and its founder Elizabeth Holmes, a case study on the dangers of “faking it” too far.
12. "WeCrashed" (2022) Based on a podcast, this series charts the meteoric rise and spectacular fall of co-working startup WeWork.
13. "Startup.com" (2001) This documentary captures the short-lived success and eventual bankruptcy of govWorks, a company that aimed to facilitate government payments online.
14. "Girlboss" (2017) Inspired by Sophia Amoruso's book, this series follows the rise of e-commerce fashion brand Nasty Gal and offers lessons in persistence.
15. "CAPITAL C" (2015) The first documentary about crowdfunding, this film delves into the experiences of independent creators looking to finance their dreams.
16. "Something Ventured" (2011) This documentary focuses on the pioneers of venture capital who funded iconic companies like Apple, Atari, and Genentech.
17. "Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J. Walker" (2020) This inspiring series is about Madam C.J. Walker, America's first female self-made millionaire, who founded a haircare empire.
18. "Super Pumped: The Battle for Uber" (2022) This series portrays the high-energy, scandal-prone world of Uber, offering a comprehensive look into the gig-economy titan.
19. "The Playlist" (2022) This serie is about how Swedish tech entrepreneur Daniel Ek and business partner Martin Lorentzon revolutionized the music industry through free and legal music streaming when they launched Spotify.

Why Watch These Series?

These curated shows and documentaries offer a variety of perspectives on the world of startups and venture capital.

Whether it’s the adrenaline-fueled venture deals, team dynamics, ethical quandaries, or historical perspectives, these series offer nuanced insights into the industry's complexities.

And of course, because it's fun!😉

Concluding Thoughts

Venture capital and startups are about more than just business; they're about dreams, ambition, innovation, and sometimes, cautionary tales of what can go wrong.

Whether you're a seasoned veteran in the VC and startup industry or a newcomer eager to understand its intricacies, these 19 series offer both educational and entertainment value that can provide invaluable insights.

Happy watching!