Series Overview
“Start-Ups: Silicon Valley” was a reality television series aired on Bravo in 2012. The show aimed to provide a glimpse into the lives of young entrepreneurs and tech enthusiasts trying to make their mark in the competitive world of Silicon Valley, a renowned hub for technology and innovation.
Setting: The series was set in Silicon Valley, California, known for being the epicenter of the tech industry, home to numerous tech giants, startups, and venture capital firms.
Themes: The series explored various themes common in the startup world, including pitching to investors, product development, networking, and the challenges of balancing personal and professional lives.
Dynamics and Conflicts: The show highlighted the interpersonal dynamics and conflicts among the main characters, including professional rivalries, romantic entanglements, and disagreements over business strategies.
Criticism and Reception: “Start-Ups: Silicon Valley” received mixed reviews from critics and viewers. Some praised it for offering a behind-the-scenes look at the tech startup scene, while others criticized it for sensationalizing and oversimplifying the industry’s complexities.
Cancellation: The show faced challenges in terms of low ratings and controversy over its portrayal of Silicon Valley culture. As a result, “Start-Ups: Silicon Valley” was not renewed for a second season.
Overall, the series aimed to provide a dramatic portrayal of the high-stakes world of startups in Silicon Valley, showcasing the aspirations, challenges, and ambitions of young entrepreneurs seeking success in the tech industry.
Production Company and Executive Producers
Den of Thieves produces the Start-Ups Silicon Valley series for Bravo TV. The executive producers are Eric Detwiler, Evan Prager, Jesse Ignjatovic, and Randi Zuckerberg.
Cast Overview
Following is a list of the primary cast members for the show.
- Hermione Way: She was a British-born entrepreneur and journalist who moved to Silicon Valley to pursue her startup dreams. Hermione was depicted as ambitious and determined, often navigating the challenges of the male-dominated tech industry.
- Ben Way: Hermione’s older brother, Ben, was also featured in the series. He was an experienced entrepreneur and tech investor, providing advice and support to his sister and others in the startup community.
- Sarah Austin: A social media personality and aspiring entrepreneur, Sarah was known for her vibrant personality and active presence on platforms like Twitter and YouTube. She was focused on launching her startup.
- David Murray: A software engineer and entrepreneur, David was depicted as someone passionate about creating innovative products. He was working on a mobile app called “Dabble,” which aimed to connect people with similar interests.
- Kim Taylor: Kim was a Stanford graduate and aspiring tech entrepreneur. She was trying to launch a social media platform called “Shonova,” which focused on fashion and beauty.
- Dwight Crow
- Jay Holanda
- Michael Gale
- Marcus Lovingood
List of Episodes for Start-Ups Silicon Valley
The Start-Ups Silicon Valley series ran for just one season with eight episodes. Bravo canceled the show due to low popularity and lack of viewership. Currently, there are no plans to revive it, at least not in the same format and not with the same cast. The following is a list of episode titles for the first season.
Season 1
- E1 – Starting Up – In the first episode, Ben and Hermione Way celebrate their new start-up with a toga party. David Murray and Sarah Austin get ready and try to figure out how Sara will get along with Hermione. Dwight and Kim skip the party and go elsewhere. Ben and Hermione have to pitch their start-up to investors the next morning in hopes of securing funding.
- E2 – #Awkward – First, Kim talks about strategy with her boss. Next, Ben and Hermione meet with an investor.
- E3 – Connect / Disconnect – Kim gives Dwight a lesson on dating. In return, Dwight shares what it takes to start a company.
- Episode 4 – Restart –
- Episode 5 – Breaking the Code –
- Episode 6 – Last Pitch Effort –
- Episode 7 – Face Time –
- Episode 8 – Unfinished Business –
Watch a brief clip from the show:
Critical Response and Awards
Not surprisingly, the series wasn’t nominated for, nor did it win any awards. The series has a rating of 5.2 out of 10 stars on IMDB and 2.1 out of 5 stars on Amazon Video, which is considered to be below average for most reality shows, especially on the Bravo TV network.
Questions & Comments
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