StartUp
Presentation
Hosted byAlex Blumberg and Lisa Chow
GenreBusiness documentary
UpdatesWeekly
Production
No. of seasons8
No. of episodes93[1]
Publication
Original releaseSeptember 5, 2014 –
present
Ratings1,000,000 (roughly, per month)[citation needed]
ProviderGimlet Media
Related
AdaptationsAlex, Inc.
Websitewww.gimletmedia.com/startup/

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]

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

Jack Conway of Podcast Review called the show "[c]onfessional and genuinely thrilling."[12]

Awards

Award Year Category Result Ref.
Academy of Podcasters 2015 Business Finalist [13]
2016 Won [14]

References

  1. ^ "» StartUp". Gimlet Media. Retrieved 2016-09-02.
  2. ^ Onion, Rebecca (2015-12-14). "The 10 Best Podcast Episodes of 2015". Slate Magazine. Retrieved 2022-12-24.
  3. ^ "Why these founders are airing their dating startup's dirty laundry on a podcast". Fortune. Retrieved 2015-12-30.
  4. ^ "Introducing StartUp: The Final Chapter | StartUp". Gimlet. Retrieved 2019-09-27.
  5. ^ "» How Not to Pitch a Billionaire". Gimlet Media. Retrieved 2015-12-30.
  6. ^ Raptopoulos, Lilah (3 December 2014). "Listen to StartUp, a podcast about starting a podcast startup". the Guardian. Retrieved 2015-12-30.
  7. ^ Bloomgarden-Smoke, Kara (February 27, 2015). "Can Former Planet Money Host Build the 'HBO of Podcasts'?". Observer. Retrieved 2015-12-30.
  8. ^ 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.
  9. ^ Harp, Justin (17 May 2017). "Scrubs' Zach Braff is back to inspire you in first trailer for ABC's Alex, Inc". Digital Spy.
  10. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (11 May 2017). "Zach Braff Comedy Pilot Gets Series Order At ABC". Deadline.com.
  11. ^ Turchiano, Danielle (2018-05-11). "'Alex Inc' Canceled by ABC After One Season". Variety. Retrieved 2018-07-18.
  12. ^ Conway, Jack (2019-10-22). "Gimlet's StartUp Comes to an End". Podcast Review. Retrieved 2022-07-21.
  13. ^ "2015 AofP Winners and Finalists". Academy of Podcasters. Podcast Movement. 2015. Archived from the original on October 14, 2016.
  14. ^ "Academy of Podcasters: Past Winners". Academy of Podcasters. Podcast Movement. Archived from the original on October 3, 2017.
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