---
title: "StartUp"
year: 2016
canonical_url: "https://www.archytele.com/show/startup-2016"
media_type: "tv"
tmdb_id: 66310
imdb_id: "tt5028002"
status: "Ended"
seasons_count: 3
episodes_count: 30
runtime_minutes: 45
community_rating: 7.2
vote_count: 265
content_rating: "TV-MA"
---

# StartUp (2016) — Television & Cinema Intelligence Dossier

> **Archytele Living Vault Canonical Record**: https://www.archytele.com/show/startup-2016

## Executive Summary & Cultural Positioning

StartUp is an American crime drama television series created by Ben Ketai that premiered on Crackle in 2016. The show features a diverse cast including Adam Brody, Martin Freeman, Edi Gathegi, Otmara Marrero, Ron Perlman, Mira Sorvino, and Addison Timlin. The series centers on a desperate banker who needs to conceal stolen money, a Haitian-American gang lord seeking to legitimize his operations, and a Cuban-American hacker with a revolutionary idea about the future of currency. These three characters are forced into an uneasy alliance that leads them to inadvertently create a new form of organized crime. The show explores themes of ambition, survival, and reinvention against the backdrop of the financial and technological underground. It ran for multiple seasons, with later episodes involving cryptocurrency ventures, federal investigations, and complex personal stakes for the main characters. The series blends elements of tech entrepreneurship with traditional crime drama, highlighting the intersection of innovation and illicit activity in the modern economy.

## The Hook & The Verdict

**The Hook**: "An unlikely trio unites to launch a revolutionary digital currency while navigating the dangers of organized crime."

### Why Watch
- compelling character dynamics
- high-stakes plot

### Caveats & Content Note
- intense violence
- complex narrative
- Tone & Suitability: This series contains mature themes, strong language, and depictions of violence.

**Micro-Themes & Vibe Matrix**: gritty, tense, fast-paced, technological

## Streaming Availability Matrix

| Region | Stream (Subscription) | Free / Ads | Rent / Buy |
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
| **United States (US)** | Netflix, fuboTV, Netflix Standard with Ads | None | Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies |
| **United Kingdom (GB)** | ITVX Premium | ITVX | Apple TV Store, Amazon Video |
| **Canada (CA)** | Netflix, Netflix Standard with Ads | None | Apple TV Store |
| **Australia (AU)** | Netflix, Stan, Netflix Standard with Ads | None | Apple TV Store |

## Season Architecture & Lore Primers

### Season 1 (10 Episodes)
StartUp is a television series that premiered in 2016. The show revolves around a small cast of characters who are trying to establish a tech business. A key aspect of the series involves a character who is forced to fund the company with money from unsavory sources. This decision is made in conjunction with a Haitian-American gang lord who is attempting to transition into legitimate business ventures. The series also features an FBI agent who plays a significant role in the story. The agent's actions have the potential to either help or hinder the characters' progress. The show explores the challenges of building a business while navigating complex and often treacherous circumstances.

## Filler vs. Essential Episode Classifier

- **Total Tracked Episodes**: 30
- **Crucial Mytharc Episodes**: 9 (30%)
- **Character Core Episodes**: 21 (70%)
- **Side Quest / Filler Episodes**: 0 (0%)

## Creative Credits

- **Created by**: Ben Ketai
- **Networks / Studios**: Crackle

## Key Cast Continuity

- **Adam Brody** as *Nicholas "Nick" Talman*
- **Edi Gathegi** as *Ronald "Ronnie" Dacey*
- **Otmara Marrero** as *Isabelle "Izzy" Morales*
- **Kristen Ariza** as *Tamara "Tam" Dacey*
- **Fredrick Bam Scott** as *Emanuel*
- **Ron Perlman** as *Wes Chandler*
- **Martin Freeman** as *Phil Rask*
- **Jared Wofford** as *Frantz*
- **Genesis Castro** as *Elsie Dacey*
- **Jevon White** as *Gilles*

## Canonical Frequently Asked Questions

### Q: What is the series about?
It follows a banker, a gang lord, and a hacker who collaborate to create a new form of digital currency.

### Q: Who are the main characters?
The story centers on a banker, a Haitian-American gang lord, and a Cuban-American hacker.

### Q: What is the central conflict?
The characters must work together while managing the risks of stolen money and organized crime.

### Q: What is the tone of the show?
The series is a gritty and tense thriller focused on the dark side of the American dream.

### Q: Is this a crime drama?
Yes, the series explores the evolution of organized crime through the lens of emerging financial technology.

## Grounded Source Citations

- [Sell, buy, show off your side projects - SideProjectors ...](https://www.sideprojectors.com/)
- [StartUp (TV series) - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/StartUp_(TV_series))
- [StartUp (TV Series 2016-2018) - IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5028002/)
- [Prime Video: Startup, Season 1](https://www.primevideo.com/detail/0IZG0WDVBUU4HRHOEXSO2MDMXA)
- [StartUp (TV Series 2016-2018) - The Movie Database (TMDB)](https://www.themoviedb.org/tv/66310-startup/seasons)
- [Watch StartUp | Netflix](https://www.netflix.com/title/80154285)

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*Generated by Archytele Open Intelligence Systems. Data verified against TMDB and JustWatch APIs.*