StartUp is an American podcast from Gimlet Media hosted by Alex Blumberg and Lisa Chow. While the first two seasons follow stories of starting businesses – Season 1 about the starting of Gimlet Media itself,[2] and Season 2, a dating company called "Dating Ring" – the third season follows one business per episode. Season 4 began by following Gimlet Media again, then aired episodes focusing on other companies. Season 6 followed the making of the TV series created about the podcast. The most recent season covers the founding of Success Academy Charter Schools in New York City.[3] The final season of Startup premiered in late 2019 and covered the process of selling Gimlet Media to the streaming media company Spotify.[4]
| StartUp | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Presentation | |
| Hosted by | Alex Blumberg and Lisa Chow |
| Genre | Business documentary |
| Updates | Weekly |
| Production | |
| No. of seasons | 8 |
| No. of episodes | 93[1] |
| Publication | |
| Original release | September 5, 2014 – present |
| Ratings | 1,000,000 (roughly, per month)[citation needed] |
| Provider | Gimlet Media |
| Related | |
| Adaptations | Alex, Inc. |
| Website | www |
The first episode was released on September 5, 2014, featuring Alex Blumberg pitching his company to venture investor Chris Sacca.[5][6] As of February 2015, the podcast received roughly 1,000,000 listens per month.[7]
Alex, Inc., a sitcom based on the podcast, premiered on ABC on March 28, 2018.[8][9] The series stars Zach Braff, with Blumberg serving as an executive producer.[10] The series was cancelled after the first season.[11]
Reception edit
Jack Conway of Podcast Review called the show "[c]onfessional and genuinely thrilling."[12]
Awards edit
| Award | Year | Category | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Academy of Podcasters | 2015 | Business | Finalist | [13] |
| 2016 | Won | [14] |
References edit
- ^ "» StartUp". Gimlet Media. Retrieved 2016-09-02.
- ^ Onion, Rebecca (2015-12-14). "The 10 Best Podcast Episodes of 2015". Slate Magazine. Retrieved 2022-12-24.
- ^ "Why these founders are airing their dating startup's dirty laundry on a podcast". Fortune. Retrieved 2015-12-30.
- ^ "Introducing StartUp: The Final Chapter | StartUp". Gimlet. Retrieved 2019-09-27.
- ^ "» How Not to Pitch a Billionaire". Gimlet Media. Retrieved 2015-12-30.
- ^ Raptopoulos, Lilah (3 December 2014). "Listen to StartUp, a podcast about starting a podcast startup". the Guardian. Retrieved 2015-12-30.
- ^ Bloomgarden-Smoke, Kara (February 27, 2015). "Can Former Planet Money Host Build the 'HBO of Podcasts'?". Observer. Retrieved 2015-12-30.
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie (2018-01-08). "ABC Slates Midseason Premiere Dates For 'Grey's Anatomy' Spinoff, 'For the People' & More, Sets 'American Idol' Air Pattern". Deadline. Retrieved 2018-03-15.
- ^ Harp, Justin (17 May 2017). "Scrubs' Zach Braff is back to inspire you in first trailer for ABC's Alex, Inc". Digital Spy.
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie (11 May 2017). "Zach Braff Comedy Pilot Gets Series Order At ABC". Deadline.com.
- ^ Turchiano, Danielle (2018-05-11). "'Alex Inc' Canceled by ABC After One Season". Variety. Retrieved 2018-07-18.
- ^ Conway, Jack (2019-10-22). "Gimlet's StartUp Comes to an End". Podcast Review. Retrieved 2022-07-21.
- ^ "2015 AofP Winners and Finalists". Academy of Podcasters. Podcast Movement. 2015. Archived from the original on October 14, 2016.
- ^ "Academy of Podcasters: Past Winners". Academy of Podcasters. Podcast Movement. Archived from the original on October 3, 2017.