Common failure reasons
CB Insights, 101 post-mortemsFounder failure checklist
10 signalsNo real market needPeople like the idea, but do not urgently buy.
Weak product-market fitRetention, referrals, and repeat usage stay low.
Cash pressureSpending grows faster than learning and revenue.
Poor pricingValue is not captured or costs are misread.
Wrong customer segmentThe chosen buyer lacks urgency or budget.
Weak founder salesThe founder has not learned objections directly.
Team mismatchCapabilities do not match the stage of the company.
Bad timingThe market is not ready or has already moved.
Ignoring competitionAlternatives are stronger than expected.
No repeatable growth systemRevenue depends on luck, referrals, or founder force.