What Kills Most Startups?

  • Startup

Cash flow problems kill most startups; not lack of ideas. Running out of money happens when spending exceeds revenue and you exhaust external funding. Poor unit economics (losing money on every sale) also kills companies. Losing focus by chasing too many opportunities instead of doubling down on what works drains resources. Team conflict and co-founder disputes disrupt operations. Ignoring market feedback and building features customers don’t want wastes time and capital. The antidote: manage cash obsessively; stay focused; listen to customers; and build a resilient team.

R&D Offer Quiz

Step 1 of 3

Answer to find out if you're eligible for R&D tax credits.

Do the activities performed relate to a new or improved business component’s function, performance, reliability, quality, or composition?(Required)
For Example: A mid-sized packaging company develops a slightly modified cardboard box design to improve its stacking strength (reliability) for warehouse storage, involving minor adjustments to the corrugation pattern to reduce collapse under standard weight loads.
Is your company trying to discover information to eliminate uncertainty concerning the capability or method for developing or improving a business component?(Required)
For Example: A furniture manufacturer investigates whether a cheaper wood adhesive can hold joints as effectively as the current one during assembly, testing bond strength to resolve doubts about its capability in standard production lines.
Do the activities performed constitute a process of experimentation?(Required)
For Example: An auto parts supplier runs a series of bench tests on different lubricant formulations to find one that reduces friction in engine bearings more effectively, systematically comparing wear rates over simulated operating cycles.