Frontrow was an ed-tech startup that offered live online classes for hobbies and extracurricular learning. It raised over $17 million from top Silicon Valley investors like Lightspeed Venture Partners and Elevation Capital. Yet, Frontrow shut down operations in 2023 after a four-year journey. Why did
Shyp was a pioneer in the on-demand shipping industry. It offered convenient pickup and delivery services for customers who needed to ship items. Despite its promising start and innovative business model, Shyp ultimately failed and shut down operations in 2018. This post will delve into
Failure sucks, doesn’t it? I mean, who actually wants to fail at something? Nobody starts a company thinking “Gee, I really hope this whole thing crashes and burns.” But sadly, most startups do fail. And when that happens, founders are left picking up the pieces.
India’s buy-now-pay-later (BNPL) sector has seen tremendous growth recently. The idea of paying for purchases in installments without interest has resonated with younger, digital-first consumers. However, growth has come with its fair share of pains. Last week, prominent BNPL startup ZestMoney announced plans to shut
HMV, which once stood tall as the go-to destination for music, movies, and games in the UK, ultimately crumbled under the weight of changing consumer habits and disruption from online retailers. Let’s take a thoughtful, introspective look at the key factors that led to HMV’s
Remember Orkut? Back in the 2000s, the Google-owned social network was all the rage, especially in countries like Brazil and India. But despite its early popularity, Orkut eventually faded into oblivion. So what happened? Why did the once-hot social media platform fizzle out so quickly?
In early 2013, Google unveiled a vision of the future – augmented reality glasses called Google Glass that put a computer and camera right on your face. These futuristic-looking smart glasses promised to change the way we interact with information and connect with each other.
Once a titan of retail, Sears has become a cautionary tale of failure to adapt and innovate. As a journalist following business trends, I wanted to analyze what led to Sears’ downfall and extract lessons that other companies can apply to avoid the same fate.
In the fast-paced world of consumer tech, companies can go from industry darlings to bankrupt has-beens practically overnight. Few companies illustrate this better than Jawbone, makers of the UP fitness tracker. In the span of just a few years, Jawbone went from being valued at
The year was 2017. Bitcoin was booming, the price skyrocketing from under $1,000 to nearly $20,000. Amidst this frenzy, a group of IIT alumni launched Koinex, with the goal of bringing digital currency trading to the Indian masses. Koinex quickly became India’s leading crypto exchange,
Remember Quibi? Unless you’re an avid follower of the rapid rise and fall of video streaming services, the name Quibi may not ring a bell. Quibi was a video streaming platform targeted at millennials that launched in April 2020 and shut down just 6 months
In December 2001, Dean Kamen unveiled the Segway Personal Transporter on ABC’s Good Morning America. The public eagerly awaited this secretive new product that was supposed to revolutionize personal transportation. Kamen confidently said it would be “to the car what the car was to the
In the early 2000s, Nokia was the undisputed king of the mobile phone industry. The Finnish company had rapidly grown from a paper mill in the 1860s to the top-selling mobile phone brand in the world by the late 1990s. At its peak, Nokia accounted
Blackberry smartphones were once the peak of mobile technology. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, carrying a Blackberry device was a status symbol in the business world. But despite its early dominance, Blackberry eventually faded into obscurity. So what happened? How did the innovative
The late 1990s were a heady time for internet companies. Venture capitalists were falling over themselves to throw money at any business with a “.com” in their name. The promise of the World Wide Web was captivating – it seemed like anyone could build a
The tech world loves its unicorns. These mythical startups are valued at over $1 billion, seeming to offer infinite possibilities. Yet even unicorns can crash and burn. Let’s explore why these one-time superstars stumbled on their way to greatness. 1. Theranos – Blood Testing Blunders
Yahoo in the late 1990s was the king of the internet. How did this pioneering company fall so far? Let’s take an introspective look at the decisions, missteps, and missed opportunities that led to Yahoo’s decline. The Early Days: Yahoo’s Humble Beginnings It all started
Kodak dominated the photographic film market for nearly a century. At its peak in the 1990s, Kodak held an astounding 90% market share and was one of the world’s top 5 most valuable brands. But when digital photography began disrupting the industry in the late
Blockbuster was once the king of video rental, with thousands of stores worldwide. However, within just a couple of decades, it went from boom to bust. So what happened to this former retail giant? Here are 10 key reasons why Blockbuster failed: 1. They Underestimated
Failure is never easy. But when your startup fails, it can feel absolutely devastating. You’ve poured your blood, sweat, and tears into your business. You’ve sacrificed sleep, relationships, and sanity trying to make it work. And now, despite all your efforts, it’s over. It’s normal
