Are you interested in TV shows that explore startups and entrepreneurship? Check out our list of the best startup TV shows and best business series for entrepreneurs on Netflix.

1) Startup (2016–2018)

• The show’s story starts with the creation of GenCoin, a cryptocurrency startup in Miami. At first, Nick Brody (founder and CEO) was very passionate about his product and vision but soon understood that starting a business was not as easy as he expected.
• You will learn how to find funding and how to build a great team for your startup from this show.
• The star cast in the show are Adam Brody, Edi Gathegi, and Otmara Marrero.
• You can watch the show on Crackle, and Amazon Prime.

2) Shark Tank (2009-Present)

• In this show, entrepreneurs pitch their businesses in front of a star-studded cast and sharks offer their money for a stake in their business.
• You will learn how to pitch to investors and what they look for in their investments from this show.
• The stars cast in the show are  Kevin O’Leary, Mark Cuban, Robert Herjavec, Lori Greiner Daymond, John Barbara Corcoran, etc.
• You can watch the show on ABC and Hulu.

3) Silicon Valley (2014–2019)

• The story of the show is based on Richard Hendricks who is a computer programmer. He founded a company called Pied Piper- a new compression algorithm. He then endeavors to navigate the competitive landscape of Silicon Valley to make his company public.
• You will learn a lot from this show such as how to stand out in a competitive market in a creative way, how to create a dedicated team in your business, how to find the right investor, and many more.
• The stars of the show are  Thomas Middleditch, T.J. Miller, Josh Brener, Martin Starr, Kumail Nanjiani, Zach Woods, Amanda Crew, Matt Ross, and Jimmy O. Yang.
• The creators of the show are Mike Judge, John Altschuler, and Dave Krinsky.
• You can watch the show on HBO.

4) Dragons’ Den (2001–Present)

• The show started in Japan in 2001 and was then remade in the UK. Dragons’ Den is similar to Shark Tank, with the former being the original version that inspired Mark Burnett to produce Shark Tank after watching it.
• You will learn how to pitch your business in front of angel investors from this show.
• The stars of the show are  Evan Davis, Peter Jones, Rachel Elnaugh, Theo Paphitis, Deborah Meaden, James Caan, Hilary Devey, etc.
• You can watch the show on BBC One.

5) Better Call Saul (2015–2022)

• The show’s story follows Saul Goodman (Bob Odenkirk), a low-level lawyer who transitions to representing criminals. It serves as an informative example of what not to do when running a business.
• The stars of the show are Bob Odenkirk, Jonathan Banks, Rhea Seehorn, and Patrick Fabian.
• You can watch the show on AMC, and Netflix.

6) The Dropout (2022)

• The story of the show begins with Elizabeth Holmes (Amanda Seyfried) who drops out of college to start her own company. This show represents the true entrepreneurial journey of Elizabeth Holmes and how she started her startup (Theranos) and eventually the company failed.
• This story tells us about the overpriced unicorn and many more.
• The stars of the show are Amanda Seyfried and Naveen Andrews.
• You can watch the show on Hulu.

7) Halt and Catch Fire (2014–2017)

• This show is fictional but it is based on real events. The story of the show starts with a group of people who are trying to create a new computer in the internet’s early days.
• This show provides valuable content on marketing and operational techniques.
• The stars of the show are  Lee Pace, Scoot McNairy, Mackenzie Davis, and Kerry Bishé.
• You can watch the show on Netflix and Amazon Prime.

8) Mad Men (2007–2015)

• Regarded by some as one of the best TV series ever made, “Mad Men” follows the lives of staff members at a leading advertising firm in 1960s New York City. It’s worth mentioning that the show exaggerates the era’s carefree lifestyle, but it remains a compelling watch for its portrayal of timeless marketing strategies still relevant today.
• The stars of the show are Jon Hamm, Elisabeth Moss, Vincent Kartheiser, January Jones, Christina Hendricks, John Slattery, Rich Sommer, etc.
• You can watch the show on AMC and Prime Video.

9) The Profit (2013–2021)

• In this show, the star Marcus Lemonis offers to invest his own money in other struggling businesses and becomes a partner.
• This show tells you how to turn around a failing business and about financial dealings. Also, you can learn some strategies which you can apply to your business.
• The star of the show is Marcus Lemonis.
• You can watch the show on Peacock TV.

10) Billions (2016–Present)

• The story of this show is fictional set in a high finance world and is inspired by the actions of real people. The show has two main characters one is a billionaire hedge fund owner and the other one is the United States Attorney.
• This show tells us that greed in high finance becomes illegal when your main motive is profits.
• The stars of the show are Paul Giamatti, Damian Lewis, Maggie Stiff, and David Costabile.
• You can watch the show on Showtime.

11) Empire (2015–2020)

• This is also a fictional story where a family tries to navigate the cutthroat world of the music industry.
• From this show, you will learn how family dynamics affect the business and some power struggles that can happen in any industry.
• The show stars are Terrence Howard, Taraji P. Henson, Bryshere Y. Gray, Jussie Smollett, and Trai Byers.
• You can watch the show on Hulu.

12) Ballers (2015–2019)

• The story of this show starts with Dwayne (The Rock), a retired NFL player. He then started working as a financial manager for other NFL players.
• From this show, you will learn how to manage client relationships, how to handle money, and also the importance of networking in business.
• The stars of the show are Dwayne Johnson, John David Washington, Donovan W. Carter, and Troy Garity.
• You can watch the show on Hulu, HBO, and Amazon Prime.

13) House of Lies (2012–2016)

• This comedic drama series follows management consultants who will do anything to get the job done. The main character of the show is Marty Kaan, who is arrogant and employs unethical tactics in his work. Inspired by a book by Martin Kihn, the show loosely reflects his experience as a former consultant at Booz Allen Hamilton. Through its exaggerated portrayal of the high-finance lifestyle, “House of Lies” serves as a cautionary tale about the perils of corporate greed.
• The story of the show tells us about how not to run your business.
• The stars of the show are  Don Cheadle, Kristen Bell, Ben Schwartz, and Josh Lawson.
• You can watch the show on Hulu, Amazon Prime, Showtime, and Paramount Plus.

14) Planet of the Apps (2017)

• This show features app developers competing for a spot on Apple’s App Store, created by Apple. Hosted by Will. i.am, Jessica Alba, and Gwyneth Paltrow, it includes guest appearances from celebrities like NBA star Shaquille O’Neal and singer Usher. Similar to Shark Tank, entrepreneurs have only 60 seconds to pitch their ideas to investors in this show.
• You will learn how to make quick decisions in business from this show.
• The stars of the show are Jessica Alba, Gwyneth Paltrow, Gary Vaynerchuk, and Will.i.am.
• You can watch the show on Apple Music.

15) Billion Dollar Buyer (2016)

• This short-lived reality-based show features Tilman Fertitta, the owner of Landry’s Inc. and the Houston Rockets. In each episode, he travels around the world to sample products from small businesses in which he may potentially invest.
• You will learn how to convince an investor from this show.
• The star of the show is Tilman Fertitta.
• You can watch the show on Peacock TV, and Amazon Prime.

16) The Grand Hustle (2018–Present)

• Famed musician Clifford “T.I.” Harris created “The Grand Hustle” as a platform to support his community. The show, based in Atlanta, showcases 16 up-and-coming entrepreneurs vying for the opportunity to join T.I.’s team and secure a $250,000 investment. Notably, “The Grand Hustle” stands out for its emphasis on aspiring entrepreneurs of color and those from underprivileged backgrounds.
• This show tells us how to be successful as an entrepreneur.
• Star of the show is Clifford “T.I.” Harris.
• You can watch the show on Amazon Prime, and BET.

17) Mary Queen of Shops (2007–2010)

• This British reality show follows Mary Portas, a successful TV star who has been creating entrepreneurial shows for decades. In this show, she visits each store personally and conducts a comprehensive analysis of what works and what needs to be changed.
• You will learn how to create a successful business in this competitive world.
• The star of the show is Mary Portas.
• You can watch the show on Amazon Prime.

18) Dirty Money (2018)

• This documentary series exposes the global financial system. The show is divided into six episodes, each one focusing on a different aspect of the system. It portrays the challenges of fighting against this system and highlights the necessity for change.
• The stars of the show are Mat Taibbi, Fisher Stevens, Alex Gibney, and Fahmi Quadir.
• You can watch the show on Netflix.

19) Kitchen Nightmares (2007–2014)

• In this reality show Gordon Ramsay tries to help struggling restaurants and transform their losses into profits. This show is mostly for entrepreneurs who are in the hospitality field.
• This show provides some valuable insight and operational lessons.
• The star of the show is Gordon Ramsay.
• You can watch the show on Fox, Amazon Prime and Hulu.

20) WeCrashed (2022)

• This show was released in the same year as “The Dropout,” “WeCrashed” and the latter both depict entrepreneurs who prioritized pursuing profits over establishing sustainable businesses. While “WeCrashed” chronicles the turbulent journey of WeWork, showcasing themes of ambition, greed, and arrogance, it serves as a warning for aspiring entrepreneurs to steer clear of repeating similar errors.
• This show tells how to secure funding from leading venture capitalists globally.
• The stars of the show are Jared Leto, Anne Hathaway, and Kyle Marvin.
• You can watch the show on Apple TV.

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