TV Shows That Portrayed Entrepreneurship Across Cultures

Television has increasingly embraced the dynamic world of business as a central theme for storytelling. These series provide viewers with a glimpse into the high stakes of startups and the complex mechanics of corporate empires. Audiences witness the relentless drive required to build something from nothing and the cultural nuances that shape entrepreneurial journeys. The following list explores shows that highlight the triumphs and struggles of business owners around the globe.

‘Silicon Valley’ (2014–2019)

Richard Hendricks develops a revolutionary data compression algorithm that attracts the attention of major tech investors. He assembles a team of eccentric programmers to launch a startup called Pied Piper. The series satirizes the competitive and often absurd culture of the technology industry in California. Richard and his colleagues face constant legal battles and acquisition threats while trying to maintain the integrity of their product.

‘Start-Up’ (2020)

Aspiring entrepreneurs in South Korea compete for funding and mentorship at a fictional technology hub called Sandbox. Seo Dal-mi lacks a college degree but possesses the ambition to become a successful CEO. She teams up with a struggling mathematics genius to build a company that utilizes artificial intelligence. The show depicts the intense pressure of hackathons and the emotional rollercoaster of seeking venture capital.

‘Itaewon Class’ (2020)

Park Saeroyi opens a small pub in a diverse district of Seoul with a plan for revenge against a powerful food conglomerate. He recruits a team of misfits who help him turn the single location into a large franchise. The protagonist values people and integrity over immediate profits. His journey demonstrates how a strong company culture can overcome corporate sabotage and financial disadvantages.

‘TVF Pitchers’ (2015–)

Four friends in India decide to quit their stable day jobs to pursue their own startup idea. They face skepticism from their families and the harsh reality of the Indian startup ecosystem. The group navigates the challenges of finding investors and developing a minimum viable product. This web series captures the spirit of modern Indian entrepreneurship and the risks involved in leaving corporate security.

‘The Playlist’ (2022)

This Swedish biographical series dramatizes the creation of the music streaming service Spotify. Daniel Ek leads a team of technologists to build a platform that offers free music legally. They must negotiate with skeptical record labels who view streaming as a threat to their industry. The story explores the conflict between technological innovation and traditional copyright laws.

‘WeCrashed’ (2022)

Adam Neumann and his wife Rebekah build WeWork into a global brand worth nearly fifty billion dollars. The series chronicles the rapid rise of the shared workspace company and its charismatic leadership. Chaotic management and questionable financial practices eventually lead to a dramatic collapse. Viewers see how a powerful vision can both drive success and blind founders to reality.

‘The Dropout’ (2022)

Elizabeth Holmes drops out of college to found Theranos with the promise of revolutionizing blood testing. She secures hundreds of millions in funding by charming investors and influential board members. The show reveals the deception behind the technology that never actually worked. It serves as a cautionary tale about the fake it until you make it mentality in Silicon Valley.

‘Halt and Catch Fire’ (2014–2017)

A visionary salesman and an engineer team up in the 1980s to reverse-engineer an IBM personal computer. The story spans the early days of the personal computing revolution and the dawn of the internet. Characters constantly pivot their business models to stay ahead of rapid technological changes. The series highlights the innovation and failures that paved the way for the modern digital age.

‘Girlboss’ (2017)

Sophia Amoruso starts an online business selling vintage clothing on eBay from her apartment. She learns the ropes of e-commerce and logistics through trial and error. The show depicts her evolution from a rebellious anarchist to the founder of the fashion brand Nasty Gal. Her journey illustrates the hustle required to turn a passion project into a multimillion-dollar empire.

‘How to Make It in America’ (2010–2011)

Two friends in New York City attempt to launch their own denim brand called Crisp. They hustle through the competitive fashion scene while dealing with personal financial struggles. The series captures the gritty reality of networking and manufacturing in a bustling metropolis. Their entrepreneurial spirit is tested by stolen merchandise and skepticism from industry gatekeepers.

‘Ballers’ (2015–2019)

Spencer Strasmore transitions from a superstar football player to a financial manager for current athletes. He navigates the complex world of sports contracts and investment opportunities in Miami. The show explores the business side of professional sports and the importance of financial literacy. Spencer must constantly leverage his connections to keep his clients solvent and his firm afloat.

‘Empire’ (2015–2020)

Lucious Lyon runs a massive hip-hop music and entertainment company while managing a terminal illness diagnosis. He pits his three sons against each other to determine who will inherit the family business. The series showcases the ruthless tactics involved in the music industry and corporate governance. Family loyalty is constantly tested by greed and the desire for power.

‘Succession’ (2018–2023)

The Roy family controls one of the biggest media and entertainment conglomerates in the world. Aging patriarch Logan Roy contemplates retirement while his children jockey for control of the company. The show offers a cynical look at corporate mergers and board meetings. It highlights how personal vendettas and family dynamics can impact billion-dollar business decisions.

‘Billions’ (2016–2023)

Hedge fund king Bobby Axelrod uses aggressive tactics to grow his wealth and influence in New York. He engages in a high-stakes game of cat and mouse with US Attorney Chuck Rhoades. The series delves into the mechanics of short selling and insider trading. Viewers get an inside look at the psychology of high finance and market manipulation.

‘The Bear’ (2022–)

Carmy Berzatto leaves the world of fine dining to run his family’s chaotic sandwich shop in Chicago. He attempts to implement professional kitchen standards while dealing with debt and a resistant staff. The show vividly portrays the razor-thin margins and intense stress of the restaurant industry. Carmy strives to transform the small business into a respectable establishment.

‘Schitt’s Creek’ (2015–2020)

The wealthy Rose family loses their fortune and relocates to a small town they bought as a joke. They slowly rebuild their lives by opening new local businesses like the Rosebud Motel and Rose Apothecary. The series demonstrates the value of community support and hands-on management. Each family member learns humility and the satisfaction of earning an honest living.

‘Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J. Walker’ (2020)

Madam C.J. Walker overcomes racial and gender barriers to build a hair care empire in the early twentieth century. She employs a network of sales agents to distribute her products across the country. The series highlights her pioneering marketing strategies and philanthropy. Her success makes her the first female self-made millionaire in America.

‘Call My Agent!’ (2015–2020)

Agents at a top talent firm in Paris scramble to keep their business afloat after the sudden death of their founder. They manage the fragile egos of famous actors while navigating contract negotiations. The show offers a humorous look at the behind-the-scenes workings of the French film industry. The team must constantly balance artistic integrity with commercial viability.

‘The Billion Dollar Code’ (2021)

Two German computer pioneers develop a virtual representation of the world called Terra Vision in the 1990s. They later sue Google for patent infringement claiming the algorithm was stolen for Google Earth. The series alternates between their early days of coding and the courtroom drama years later. It underscores the difficulties European innovators face when challenging American tech giants.

‘Made in Heaven’ (2019–)

Two wedding planners in Delhi launch an agency to cater to the elite upper class of India. They navigate the clash between traditional customs and modern aspirations while managing their own personal problems. The show exposes the business of matrimony and the secrets behind lavish celebrations. The protagonists must constantly adapt to the demands of difficult clients to succeed.

‘Strongest Deliveryman’ (2017)

Choi Kang-soo works as a delivery driver with a dream to create his own delivery app service. He competes against a large corporate chain that threatens to put local restaurants out of business. The drama focuses on the struggles of working-class youth in South Korea. Kang-soo mobilizes his fellow drivers to build a company that prioritizes fair treatment.

‘Atelier’ (2015)

A young “fabric geek” lands a job at a high-end lingerie design house in Tokyo. She clashes with the visionary but strict owner who values craftsmanship above all else. The series explores the tension between artistic creation and mass-market commercialization. The protagonist learns that successful entrepreneurship requires understanding the customer as much as the product.

‘Club de Cuervos’ (2015–2019)

Siblings Chava and Isabel Iglesias inherit a professional soccer team in Mexico after their father dies. They engage in a bitter power struggle over who has the vision to lead the club. The show combines comedy with the business logistics of managing a sports franchise. Their incompetence often leads to financial disasters and public relations nightmares.

‘Shark Tank’ (2009–)

Entrepreneurs present their business concepts to a panel of wealthy investors known as Sharks. Contestants must defend their valuations and answer tough questions about their profit margins. The reality show educates viewers on the basics of equity and negotiation. deals are often made on the spot based on the strength of the pitch and the product.

‘Dragons’ Den’ (2005–)

This British reality series features inventors pitching their ideas to five multi-millionaire investors. The Dragons grill the participants on their business plans and financial projections. It highlights the importance of knowing your numbers and having a scalable model. Many successful products have launched globally after securing funding on the show.

‘The Profit’ (2013–2021)

Marcus Lemonis invests his own money into struggling small businesses in exchange for an ownership stake. He applies his “People Process Product” philosophy to turn the companies around. The show reveals the common mistakes that lead business owners to failure. Lemonis often has to make difficult personnel changes to ensure the survival of the venture.

‘Kitchen Nightmares’ (2007–2014)

Chef Gordon Ramsay visits failing restaurants to identify their problems and implement solutions. He often finds issues with sanitary conditions and stubborn owners who refuse to change. The show demonstrates that a successful business requires high standards and a clear menu concept. Ramsay revamps the decor and the management style to give the owners a fresh start.

‘House of Lies’ (2012–2016)

Marty Kaan leads a team of management consultants who use manipulative tactics to close deals for wealthy clients. The series satirizes the corporate consulting industry and its obsession with billing hours. Characters break the fourth wall to explain business jargon and strategies. They travel the globe to fix public relations disasters and corporate scandals.

‘Mad Men’ (2007–2015)

Don Draper acts as the creative director at a prestigious advertising agency in 1960s New York. The show depicts the golden age of advertising and the cutthroat nature of client acquisition. Account executives wine and dine executives to secure lucrative contracts. The agency undergoes several mergers and restructuring efforts to remain competitive.

‘Better Call Saul’ (2015–2022)

Jimmy McGill transforms from a struggling public defender into the morally flexible lawyer Saul Goodman. He runs a solo practice that caters to criminals and the elderly alike. The series shows the hustle involved in building a client base from nothing. Jimmy uses colorful marketing and unethical shortcuts to establish his brand.

‘Breaking Bad’ (2008–2013)

Walter White turns to cooking methamphetamine to secure his family’s financial future. He applies his chemistry knowledge to create a superior product that dominates the market. The show functions as a dark parable of building an illicit business empire. Walter must manage distribution logistics and eliminate competitors to maintain his monopoly.

‘The Wire’ (2002–2008)

The Stringer Bell character treats the drug trade in Baltimore like a legitimate corporation. He takes economics classes and attempts to implement business rules to reduce violence. The series illustrates the supply chain of the narcotics industry from the street corner to the supplier. It draws parallels between the dysfunction of the drug trade and legitimate institutions.

‘Narcos’ (2015–2017)

Pablo Escobar builds a massive cocaine production and distribution network in Colombia. He manages his cartel with a mix of bribery and brutality to protect his profits. The show details the logistics of smuggling tons of product into the United States. Viewers see how the illegal trade impacts the economy and politics of an entire nation.

‘Ozark’ (2017–2022)

Financial advisor Marty Byrde relocates his family to the Missouri Ozarks to launder money for a drug cartel. He invests in local businesses like a lodge and a casino to clean the illicit cash. The series focuses on the accounting and management aspects of money laundering. The Byrde family must constantly innovate to hide their activities from the FBI.

‘Peaky Blinders’ (2013–2022)

Thomas Shelby leads a gangster family in Birmingham as they expand their betting business. He seeks to legitimize their enterprise by obtaining legal gambling licenses. The show depicts the transition from street crime to organized corporate structures. Shelby negotiates with government officials and rival gangs to secure his family’s wealth.

‘Boardwalk Empire’ (2010–2014)

Nucky Thompson controls the bootlegging trade in Atlantic City during the Prohibition era. He manages a complex web of politicians and mobsters to keep the alcohol flowing. The series explores the intersection of business and politics in the 1920s. Nucky operates as both a corrupt treasurer and a shrewd businessman.

‘Mildred Pierce’ (2011)

A single mother during the Great Depression bakes pies and cakes to support her family. She eventually opens her own restaurant and expands it into a successful chain. The miniseries portrays the challenges women faced in the business world during that era. Mildred sacrifices her personal happiness to maintain her entrepreneurial success.

‘The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel’ (2017–2023)

Midge Maisel navigates the male-dominated world of stand-up comedy in the late 1950s. She treats her act as a business and hires a manager to book gigs and tour. The show highlights the grind of performing in small clubs to build a reputation. Midge battles censorship and industry sexism to carve out her own career path.

‘GLOW’ (2017–2019)

A group of women joins a fledgling professional wrestling promotion in Los Angeles. The director and producer struggle to find sponsors and a television network to air their show. The series focuses on the creative and financial hurdles of launching a niche entertainment product. The wrestlers must learn to market their personas to attract an audience.

‘Mr Selfridge’ (2013–2016)

Harry Gordon Selfridge arrives in London to open a modern department store on Oxford Street. He introduces American retail techniques like window displays and makeup counters. The show chronicles the rise of the retail giant and the changing shopping habits of the public. Selfridge risks his personal fortune to keep the store ahead of its competitors.

‘The Paradise’ (2012–2013)

A young woman works in the first department store in Northern England during the Victorian era. The owner creates a spectacle of commerce to entice customers and expand his business. The series explores the evolution of consumer culture and retail management. Employees navigate the strict hierarchy and ambition required to move up the corporate ladder.

‘Velvet’ (2014–2016)

The heir to a prestigious fashion house in Madrid tries to modernize the business in the 1950s. He seeks to move from haute couture to ready-to-wear collections to save the company financially. The show depicts the internal conflict between tradition and innovation in the fashion industry. Family secrets and romance complicate the management of the gallery.

‘Family Business’ (2019–2021)

A failed entrepreneur in France discovers that marijuana is about to be legalized. He convinces his family to turn their struggling kosher butcher shop into a weed dispensary. The comedy highlights the chaotic process of pivoting a family business into a new market. They must hide their operations from the police until the law officially changes.

‘Startup’ (2016–2018)

A banker and a hacker team up to create a new unregulated cryptocurrency called GenCoin. They seek funding from a Haitian gang leader to get their project off the ground. The series explores the dark side of tech financing and the potential of decentralized currency. The founders face threats from both government agencies and criminal organizations.

‘Entourage’ (2004–2011)

Movie star Vincent Chase navigates Hollywood with his group of childhood friends from Queens. His agent Ari Gold aggressively negotiates contracts and manages the business of stardom. The show offers an inside look at how movie deals are packaged and greenlit. The friends eventually branch out into their own ventures like a tequila brand.

‘Suits’ (2011–2019)

Harvey Specter is a top corporate closer at a Manhattan law firm who hires a brilliant associate without a law degree. The firm handles high-profile mergers and acquisitions for major corporations. The series focuses on the legal strategies used to protect business interests. Power struggles within the firm often mirror the hostile takeovers they manage for clients.

‘Industry’ (2020–)

Young graduates compete for permanent positions at a prestigious investment bank in London. They endure long hours and a toxic work environment to prove their worth to their superiors. The show depicts the high-pressure world of foreign exchange trading and sales. The characters sacrifice their personal lives and ethics to succeed in the financial sector.

Share your favorite business-themed TV show and what it taught you about entrepreneurship in the comments.