Starting a business is an exciting yet demanding journey. Entrepreneurs often juggle multiple responsibilities, face constant challenges, and make high-stakes decisions almost daily. In such a fast-paced world, it’s important not only to stay motivated but also to continue learning and finding ways to unwind. One of the best ways to combine inspiration, entertainment, and education is through thought-provoking and engaging web series.
Whether you are just starting out or already running a business, the following list of web series will offer you a mix of real-life stories, fictional narratives, and practical business lessons. Here are 12 web series every entrepreneur must watch:
1. Broken
Platform: Netflix
While not a conventional business show, Broken is a documentary series that reveals the dark side of product manufacturing, from makeup to furniture to vaping devices. Each episode uncovers how profit-driven motives can sometimes lead to shortcuts and unethical decisions. It’s a must-watch for entrepreneurs to understand the importance of ethics, customer safety, and transparency in business.
2. Inside Bill’s Brain: Decoding Bill Gates
Platform: Netflix
This documentary dives deep into the life of Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates. It explores not only his rise in the tech industry but also his efforts to use his wealth for global good through the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The series provides valuable insight into the mindset of one of the world’s most successful entrepreneurs, showing how curiosity, discipline, and purpose can drive success.
3. TVF Pitchers
Platform: TVF Play / YouTube / ZEE5
This Indian web series is an all-time favorite among young entrepreneurs. TVF Pitchers follows the story of four friends who quit their jobs to launch a startup. The show humorously and realistically portrays the struggles of building a startup from scratch—dealing with investors, product development, and team dynamics. It’s entertaining, relatable, and highly motivational.
4. Thinkistan
Platform: MX Player
Set in the 1990s, Thinkistan explores the world of advertising in India. It presents the creative clash between traditional thinkers and modern marketers. Entrepreneurs can learn a lot from this series about branding, market positioning, creative storytelling, and the evolution of consumer behavior. It’s especially useful for those in marketing and media businesses.
5. How I Made Millions
Platform: CNBC / YouTube
This documentary-style series tells the real stories of everyday people who turned small ideas into million-dollar enterprises. Each episode interviews founders, sharing their path to success, struggles, and breakthrough moments. It’s a treasure trove of inspiration for aspiring entrepreneurs seeking motivation and actionable advice.
6. Shark Tank
Platform: ABC / Hulu / Sony LIV (India)
One of the most popular business reality shows globally, Shark Tank features budding entrepreneurs pitching their ideas to a panel of seasoned investors or “sharks.” It teaches viewers about business valuation, pitching skills, and the importance of understanding your market. For anyone interested in startups and investment, this show is both educational and entertaining.
7. The Profit
Platform: CNBC
In The Profit, businessman Marcus Lemonis invests in struggling small businesses and helps turn them around by applying his “People, Process, Product” philosophy. It’s an excellent watch for entrepreneurs seeking real-world solutions to common business problems like poor management, inefficient systems, and lack of direction.
8. Silicon Valley
Platform: HBO
This comedy series parodies the tech startup culture of Silicon Valley. It follows a group of software developers trying to build a successful startup. While the show is fictional and humorous, it also highlights real-world startup challenges—ranging from funding issues to legal complications and competition in the tech world.
9. StartUp
Platform: Crackle / Netflix
StartUp is a gripping drama that revolves around the creation of a cryptocurrency company by an unlikely trio—a banker, a hacker, and a gangster. It offers insights into the tech world, digital disruption, and the moral gray areas that entrepreneurs sometimes encounter. It’s an intense, thought-provoking watch.
10. Empire
Platform: Fox / Disney+ Hotstar
Empire is a musical drama that follows the internal struggles of a family-run entertainment company. Though the backdrop is music, the themes of leadership, legacy, and business strategy resonate with any entrepreneur running a company or dealing with succession planning.
11. The Apprentice
Platform: NBC / BBC
This reality show features aspiring businesspeople competing in challenges to win a job or investment from a prominent entrepreneur (like Donald Trump in the U.S. version or Alan Sugar in the U.K. version). The show offers lessons in leadership, strategy, and teamwork under pressure—an essential skill set for any entrepreneur.
12. Dirty Money
Platform: Netflix
This investigative series uncovers stories of corporate greed, corruption, and fraud. From the Volkswagen emissions scandal to payday loan fraud, Dirty Money is a cautionary tale that reminds entrepreneurs of the importance of ethical conduct and the consequences of prioritizing profits over principles.
Final Thoughts
While books, podcasts, and workshops are great sources of learning, web series offer a more visual and immersive way to absorb lessons. These shows provide a unique blend of business wisdom, storytelling, and entertainment. Whether you’re seeking strategic guidance, real-life entrepreneurial experiences, or just looking to unwind with relatable content—these 12 web series will help you stay inspired and energized on your entrepreneurial journey.
So grab your popcorn, open your notebook, and let these stories spark the next big idea in your mind!
