Watch Generation Startup

Generation Startup is an inspiring and gritty documentary film from 2016 that follows the journey of six young entrepreneurs as they build their fledgling startups in the vibrant and challenging ecosystem of Detroit. The movie offers an intimate and honest perspective into the highs and lows of starting a business, highlighting the passion, grit, and tenacity required to turn an idea into reality.

The film starts by introducing us to the six young entrepreneurs, each with their unique backgrounds, skills, and aspirations. These include Dextina Booker, the founder of an after-school program that teaches coding to children from underprivileged families; Kate Catlin, the founder of a social media startup that helps connect job seekers to companies; and Avery Hairston, the founder of a mobile app that helps drivers find and book parking spots.

The movie then dives into the nitty-gritty of starting and growing a business, depicting the long hours, hard work, and persistent hustle required to make it happen. We see the entrepreneurs develop their ideas, pitch to investors, iterate on their products, and navigate the challenges of building a team and a culture from scratch.

Throughout the film, the entrepreneurs face numerous setbacks and challenges, including funding rejections, technical glitches, and personal struggles. However, they also experience high moments of triumph and excitement, such as securing funding, launching their products, and seeing their impact on the community.

One of the strengths of Generation Startup is its focus on the human side of entrepreneurship. The movie does not shy away from portraying the emotional and personal toll that startup life can take on individuals, including anxiety, stress, and burnout. However, it also shows how the entrepreneurs lean on each other for support and create a sense of camaraderie and community despite the high-stakes nature of their work.

The film also touches on the broader themes of innovation, social impact, and urban revitalization. Through the stories of the six entrepreneurs, we see how startups can bring new ideas, jobs, and opportunities to underserved communities, helping to drive economic growth and social change. We also witness the power of collaboration between entrepreneurs, investors, educators, and policymakers in creating a thriving startup ecosystem.

The documentary is beautifully shot and features a diverse cast of characters, including prominent figures in the Detroit startup scene such as Dan Gilbert, founder of Quicken Loans, and Jerry Paffendorf, founder of Loveland Technologies. The movie's soundtrack, composed by Justin Rice, adds an additional layer of energy and emotion to the film.

Overall, Generation Startup is a compelling and thought-provoking documentary that captures the excitement, challenges, and impact of entrepreneurship. The film manages to balance inspiration with reality, depicting both the glory and the grind of starting a business. Ultimately, the movie celebrates the power of innovation, creativity, and community in shaping the future of cities and society.

Generation Startup is a 2016 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 33 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.2 and a MetaScore of 46.