Something Ventured (2011)
Before Stripe sought funding, Silicon Valley's venture capital ecosystem was built by a handful of pioneers. 'Something Ventured' is the origin story of the risk-takers who funded giants like Apple, Intel, and Cisco. It's an essential primer on the mindset
that fuels technological revolutions. For Stripe fans, this film provides the historical context for the world the Collison brothers entered. It explains the symbiotic relationship between ambitious founders and the investors who see the future, making it clear that without the groundwork laid by these early VCs, a company like Stripe might never have gotten its start.
General Magic (2018)
This is a fascinating and poignant story about being right, but at the wrong time. 'General Magic' chronicles a secretive Apple spin-off from the early 1990s that created a device strikingly similar to a modern smartphone, complete with emojis and wireless connectivity—15 years too early. The company, staffed by people who would later create the iPhone and Android, ultimately failed. It’s a powerful lesson in market timing, the pain of epic failure, and how visionary ideas often lay the groundwork for future successes. Stripe succeeded by solving a present-day problem perfectly; this film is a brilliant case study of what happens when a solution precedes the problem.
Design & Thinking (2012)
Part of Stripe’s genius lies in its obsession with clean, developer-friendly APIs and user-centric design. 'Design & Thinking' explores the very philosophy that makes this possible. The film demystifies 'design thinking'—a problem-solving approach that prioritizes human needs and collaborative, multidisciplinary creativity. It features insights from leaders at IDEO and other innovation hubs, arguing that this mindset is crucial for tackling complex business and social challenges. If you admire Stripe for its elegant solutions to messy problems, this documentary explains the intellectual and creative framework behind that kind of success.
Print the Legend (2014)
Stripe operates in the world of bits, but this documentary is a compelling look at the battle to dominate the world of atoms. 'Print the Legend' follows the race between early 3D printing startups like MakerBot and Formlabs as they try to bring a revolutionary technology to the mainstream. It’s a raw, inside look at the founder rivalries, the ethical dilemmas of new tech (like 3D-printed guns), and the painful transition from an open-source ethos to a corporate reality. For anyone who loves a good startup story, this film captures the passion, compromise, and ambition that define an industry's birth.
The Inventor: Out for Blood in Silicon Valley (2019)
To appreciate how Stripe built its reputation on trust and execution, it helps to see what happens when a startup is built on lies. This HBO documentary chronicles the spectacular rise and fall of Theranos and its founder, Elizabeth Holmes. It's a chilling cautionary tale about the dangers of the 'fake it till you make it' culture when taken to fraudulent extremes. The film serves as a crucial counterpoint to the romantic founder narrative, examining the psychology of deception and the immense pressure within Silicon Valley to project success at all costs. It underscores why Stripe’s quiet competence and focus on building real, working infrastructure is so respected.
