Ask HN: let's build a list of reasons why startups fail
I am writing a business plan for a new idea of mine. After all the reasons why this is the best idea ever and countless industries are going to be disrupted I am now writing "what could go wrong". This is the sad part but it has to be done. I have already several reasons in my list and I'd like to ask you here for some more. In the process let's build a list useful for all of us in the future. For this reason I won't even bother you with my "great idea" so we avoid "idea specific" failure reasons. I'll start with some obvious ones in my list:
* Nobody (or too few) need it
* Somebody needs it but won't pay/pay enough for it
* Budget underestimated (you needed more than that and you did not know it)
* Unproved assumptions ("we were sure it would go viral" / "critical mass is at X")
* Critical mass was higher than expected
* Somebody else is doing that already, better than you
* The big players see what you do, like it, and replicate it very fast. You're out
...and I am sure there's many more.
If we build this list properly it may be quite useful!
Enterprise executives can love your innovative enterprise service but inertia among managers and staff who are needed for adoption may outlast your runway
Advanced technology can easily be too early from a market adoption perspective
thanks, good ones! It seems I can't edit my first message to add them.
internal issues. people issues. cofounders infighting.