Everyone loves an inspiring, feel-good story during the holiday season, but as innovators and entrepreneurs, that plot really thickens when we get to see our industry play out on TV. It’s a chance to be entertained, relate to the characters on screen, and perhaps even find some new motivation for the new year.
To help you get the most from your downtime, we’ve compiled a list of some of our favourite business, innovation and entrepreneurially themed shows, some fictional, some based on real happenings - all highly entertaining. And if you like a little drama and corporate intrigue, we’ve got you covered there too. Enjoy!
The Playlist
What is it?: Docu-drama miniseries
Released: 2022
Where to watch it: Netflix
Inspired by the book Spotify Untold, The Playlist provides a fictionalised account of how Spotify was born. The episodes give you a glimpse of how founders Daniel Ek and Martin Lorentzon set on a seemingly impossible journey to change the music industry as it was circa 2006 when the company was founded.
Why watch it?
It has all the ingredients you’ll need to feel inspired. Young, passionate entrepreneurs facing colossal and seemingly insurmountable obstacles on a mission to change the music industry (and the world). The moral? Even small players can change the status quo with big dreams, unrelenting will, steadfast conviction and a little luck along the way.
Eat the Rich: the GameStop Saga
What is it?: Docuseries
Released: 2022
Where to watch it: Netflix
This three-part docuseries gives you a peek into how digital communities work and the gamification of trading. The story starts in late 2020 when a group of homebound traders use their skills to ramp up the price of several meme stocks. Among the most famous was GameStop, which hit peak heights in early 2021 as a result. The goal? To wreak havoc on the stock market and get rich while doing it.
Why watch it?
It provides an entertaining glimpse into how powerful digital communities have become and serves as a cautionary tale about how detached from reality financial market information can be.
WeWork: Or the Making and Breaking of a $47 Billion Unicorn
What is it?: Documentary
Released: 2021
Where to watch it: Hulu
Is it possible to build a business empire based on renting out office space purchased on short leases and loaned money? Apparently, it is, and this story is living proof. This documentary takes you through the creation, building, rise, and ultimate fall of WeWork, a New York City-based provider of co-working spaces aimed at creatives and freelancers.
Why watch it?
It’s one of those stories that’s so strange it seems fictional. Plus, you get to know co-founder and CEO Adam Neumann, whose charisma and bravado almost make you forget the company’s downplayed losses and flimsy business plan.
Super Pumped: The Battle for Uber
What is it?: Series
Released: 2022
Where to watch it: Hulu or Showtime in the US
This is the first edition of the Super Pumped anthology series (which will showcase a new company every season), featuring one of Silicon Valley’s most renowned and disruptive companies: Uber. The story follows Uber CEO Travis Kalanick (played by Gordon-Levitt) as he navigates the ups and downs of running one of the world's biggest startup unicorns.
Why watch it?
Boardroom battles, team blowouts in Vegas, fundraising and snagging VC support - this series has it all. Plus, you get a made-for-TV peek into the trials and tribulations many entrepreneurs face on the journey to building a startup unicorn. The hustle is real!
The Inventor: Out for Blood in Silicon Valley
What is it?: Documentary
Released: 2019
Where to watch it: Hulu, HBO Max
You might have seen Theranos in the headlines back in 2015 when the scandal over the accuracy of its blood-testing devices was in full swing. This documentary tells the story of its founder and CEO, Elizabeth Holmes, chronicling the rise and fall of her multibillion-dollar healthcare company as well as the fraudulent practices behind its demise.
Once the world's youngest self-made female billionaire and hailed to be the next Steve Jobs, the story of Elizabeth Holmes has been depicted through various other media outlets. Most recently, in a podcast called Bad Blood: The Final Chapter and a drama series where she’s played by Amanda Seyfried called The DropOut.
Why watch it?
Scandal, intrigue, ambition, and a charismatic founder all wrapped up in a plot filled with corporate fraud and dodgy business practices. If you’re looking for a little drama plus a guide on how NOT to run a company, this one is for you.
Dirty Money
What is it?: Docuseries
Released: 2020
Where to watch it: Netflix
This gripping docuseries provides a deeper look into some of the most scandalous cases of corporate fraud and greed from the last decade. Similar to season one, which aired in 2018, each episode in season two tackles a different scandal. Featured among the more jaw-dropping stories, you’ll find the likes of Wells Fargo, former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak and Jared Kushner (among others).
Why watch it?
While the stories will make you cringe, they do expose real cases of corporate corruption, many which impacted our global economy.
The Billion-dollar Code
What is it?: Miniseries
Released: 2021
Where to watch it: Netflix
Based on true events, this miniseries tells the story of two German men (Carsten Schlüter, the artist and Juri Müller, the hacker) on a journey to gain recognition as the original inventors of the Google Earth algorithm. The series takes you back to Berlin in the 1990s, depicting the various events that lead up to a patent infringement lawsuit against Google years later.
Why watch it?
It’s an inspiring David and Goliath tale of friendship and perseverance that gives you a first-row view of how world-changing startups are born.
Inside Bill’s Brain: Decoding Bill Gates
What is it?: Docuseries
Released: 2019
Where to watch it: Netflix
Ever wonder about the life events that made Bill Gates the person he is today? Each episode in this three-part docuseries tackles a different aspect of his life, with friends and family sharing memories along the way. You’ll also hear from Gates himself, sharing insights about his childhood, life-long career and passion for making the world a better place.
Why watch it?
Not only is this an endearing peak into the life of one of the world's most iconic entrepreneurs, it also shows you how he pursues solutions to some of the world’s biggest problems. It’ll leave you feeling inspired, optimistic and hopeful.
FYRE: The Greatest Party That Never Happened
What is it?: Documentary
Released: 2019
Where to watch it: Netflix
It was supposed to be a luxury festival, with top musical acts on a posh island populated by frolicking models. But the reality turned out to be a far cry from what was promised - leaving thousands of disappointed attendees stranded and locals unpaid for their hard labour. This documentary provides a behind-the-scenes look at the events leading up to this ill-fated project and what the aftermath was like for both attendees and locals.
Why watch it?
It shows how even seemingly brilliant business ideas, with clear market buy-in, can fail spectacularly absent the right leadership.
Broken
What is it?: Docuseries
Released: 2019
Where to watch it: Netflix
Broken is an investigative docuseries that showcases some of the surprisingly shifty production and marketing practices behind popular consumer items. During its four episodes, the series tackles topics like counterfeit make-up, vaping addiction in teens, single-use plastics and the environmental disadvantages of disposable furniture. Basically, it answers the question: What is the true price of the items you buy?
Why watch it?
It’s full of compelling, human-centred narratives from manufacturers, distributors, and victims, highlighting the very real dangers behind your everyday consumer goods. It’ll make you do a double-take, both from a consumer point of view as well as a marketing point of view.
Your thoughts?
Want to add a new show to the list? We’d love to hear from you! Drop us a line or follow us on LinkedIn for more great content.
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