Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Movie review – Startup.com


Main characters: Kenneth Austin, kaleil Isaza Tuzman, Tom Herman

Plot: it takes place in the New York City for most of the time but it moves from one big city to another during the initial period, when they were looking for investors. 

Background: it is a documentary film that chronicles the dot-com era. The movie revolves around the startup of govWorks in years 1999-2000, when internet bubble was busting.

Summary:  it starts with Tuzman leaving his job at Goldman Sachs and joining with Herman fulltime to start a new business.  Tuzman and Herman dedicate all their time to the govWorks.com, on the other hand Kenneth keeps his day job.  In the beginning the movie shows the struggle they go through, sleeping very little and going to many potential investors. The young entrepreneurs go through a lot of emotional labor trying to convince the investors to invest in their idea. First few investors were their own families. They eventually find some investors and ride the roller coaster ride. The company starts slowly with small group of people and co-ceo as Harman and Tuzman.  Eventually, govWorks gets bigger and bigger, it reaches the TV, media, news and even to the president.  Austin sells his part to Tom and Kaleil, once the company gets to a stable stage.

The movie goes through different aspects of Tuzman and Harman's life. Dora, Tusman’s girlfriend appears multiple times in the movie. She gives the movie the perspective from a partner of an entrepreneur’s point of view.


When the company becomes huge, they start to have issues in the IT department. The IT department is mostly run by Harman, so he talks to Tuzman. This conflict separates the two best friends that got this idea rolling in the first place. After then breaking apart, the company slowly loses its momentum and falls apart. In this movie you can see firsthand the highs and lows of an entrepreneur’s life.  It also clearly showcase’s the personality, abilities, hard work, persistence that is required to be in this field. 

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