START UP Returns for 14th Season Highlighting Entrepreneur Stories

DETROIT, Sept. 30, 2026 /CourierPR/ -- The six-time Emmy-nominated public television series START UP is set to return for its 14th season, showcasing the inspiring journeys of entrepreneurs across Ohio and Illinois. The series, hosted by Gary Bredow and produced by Jenny Feterovich, will air on PBS stations nationwide and stream on PBS.org and the PBS app beginning October 4. The new season will feature 13 new episodes, each spotlighting a unique entrepreneur and their innovative business ventures.

The series, which has received six Daytime Emmy nominations, has become a valuable educational resource, appearing in schools, universities, and prisons. This year’s season will continue the show’s mission of demystifying entrepreneurship by highlighting the grit, creativity, and resilience required to build successful businesses from the ground up.

The 14th season of START UP will span Ohio and Illinois, featuring 13 entrepreneurs across a wide range of industries, including wellness and hospitality, aviation technology, and sustainable food innovation. Each episode will provide viewers with a unique glimpse into the lives and business journeys of these entrepreneurs, showcasing the diversity and special nature of entrepreneurship in the Midwest.

One of the featured entrepreneurs is Dave Pando, the founder of LVL UP Sports in Grove City, Ohio. The paintball and airsoft park, which Pando built around a full-scale outdoor experience including a woodsball course and a castle-style arena, is a testament to the power of perseverance and the never-give-up spirit of a childhood dream.

Another highlight of the season is Replenish, a wellness hub in Columbus, Ohio, founded by sisters Chanelle and Deja Redman and their mother, Wauvette Duncan. The wellness hub offers spa services, movement practices, and community-centered programs, emphasizing the importance of care, community, and restoration.

The season also features Best Dam Tape, a performance hockey tape company founded by Logan Cuvo. The company’s innovative product, known for its grip, durability, and easy tear, has seen rapid expansion into new applications beyond the rink.

Nathan Johnson and his husband, David, founded Restalgic, a pottery studio and boutique in Columbus, Ohio, blending artistry with everyday luxury through immersive classes and original creations. The studio’s mission is to reinvent oneself in the face of adversity, a theme that resonates with the show’s mission of celebrating the grit and resilience required to build successful businesses.

In Chicago, Illinois, Luke Saunders founded Farmer’s Fridge, a smart, self-serve concept that solves the everyday challenge of finding a good meal on the go. The concept is a testament to creativity and innovation, demonstrating how entrepreneurs can turn everyday challenges into solutions that benefit society.

Other featured entrepreneurs include Lauren Becks, who founded Girls Gone Raw in Alexandria, Ohio, a raw food diet company for dogs and cats, and Fiona McEntee and Faith Anderson, who launched Nouvie, a non-alcoholic sparkling wine brand in Chicago, Illinois. The brand’s mission is to meet the needs of an evolving society, providing a celebration without the alcohol.

Kendra Anderson and Christine LeMieux founded Caviar Dream in Chicago, Illinois, reimagining caviar as more inclusive and accessible, widening access to a once-exclusive luxury.

Megan Pando, the founder of Maker’s Social in Columbus, Ohio, blends her passion for crafting jewelry, leather goods, and woodworking projects with her love for sharing drinks and conversation, creating a makerspace and bar where members can craft projects and socialize.

The season also includes Charmy’s Market, a Persian restaurant in Columbus, Ohio, founded by Sherry and Rezi Bayegan. The restaurant serves fresh Persian dishes and everyday essentials, welcoming longtime patrons and newcomers alike, highlighting the power of love and community.

Emily Carlson founded Solstice Stained Glass in Chicago, Illinois, which repairs, restores, and designs stained glass for congregations, homeowners, and institutions across Chicagoland. The studio’s mission is to turn passion into a viable business, showcasing the importance of art, expression, and turning one’s passion into a successful enterprise.

Ilya Bodner and his team founded Goodwin in Columbus, Ohio, a software company that streamlines operations for private jet charter brokers and operators, demonstrating the potential for entrepreneurship in highly niche industries.

Clever Carnivore, founded by Dr. Virginia Rangos and Dr. Paul Burridge in Chicago, Illinois, is developing meat that is produced more efficiently and sustainably, without sacrificing taste. The company’s mission is to anticipate and address the changing world, showcasing foresight and innovation.

The 14th season of START UP is made possible thanks to the generous support of sponsors including Pens.com, BambooHR, and Bluehost. Pens.com, a company that has had a front-row seat to the real work of building a brand from nothing, supports the show’s mission of telling the stories of entrepreneurs honestly.

The new season of START UP will air on PBS stations nationwide and stream on PBS.org and the PBS app beginning October 4. Viewers should check local listings for individual station dates and times.

START UP is a nationally recognized television series that tells the inspiring stories of American small business owners. Hosted by Gary Bredow and produced by Jenny Feterovich, the show travels across the country to highlight the diverse journeys of entrepreneurs building businesses from the ground up. Now in its 14th season, with episodes filmed across states nationwide, START UP has become a valuable educational tool in schools, universities, and prisons.