Parents' Guide to

Startup U

By Melissa Camacho, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 13+

Tech start-up school reality promotes more than educates.

TV Freeform Reality TV 2015
Startup U Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

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What's the Story?

STARTUP U is a reality series about a group of young entrepreneurs hoping to win funding for their individual start-ups that they believe will lead them to wealth and success. The series features 30 students age 18 to 30 who are attending Draper University of Heroes, a seven-week program located in the San Francisco suburb of San Mateo, California, to learn more about business and venture capitalism. With the help of program creator Tim Draper, a third-generation venture capitalist who invested in start-ups such as Skype, Hotmail, and Tesla, and his team, including staff members Charlie Taibi and Sequoia Blodgett, the students work on their business skills, mental stamina, physical strength, and emotional stability to prepare them for the entrepreneurial world. Students also have the chance to get tips from successful businesspeople throughout their tenure. At the end, each person will present his or her business plan to Draper and top venture capitalists. The one most able to impress will receive the capital necessary to fund a start-up.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: Not yet rated
Kids say: Not yet rated

Though this somewhat interesting reality show tries to focus on its young entrepreneurs and their learning experience, it spends a whole lot of time hyping Tim Draper and his program, known by few outside of Silicon Valley -- until now. This is further underscored by his constant reminders about his philosophies, his curriculum, and his venture-capitalist team's successes throughout the series.

Though budding entrepreneurs may find some bits and pieces of information helpful, others may find some of the advice nothing more than common sense. Nonetheless, the show offers some good reminders for everyone in any field about the importance of creative thinking, being willing to work hard, and believing in what you're doing if you want someone to believe in you.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about marketing and television. When does a TV show that showcases a specific person or business go from being entertainment to promotion? Is it always easy to tell the difference?

  • Do you have an idea for a business? Why do you believe it will be successful? How would you go about starting it? Could you convince someone to invest in it? How can shows such as this one help you answer these questions?

TV Details

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