Technology & Software · Failure database
Why Technology & Software startups fail: 402 real cases
Curated failure case studies from Technology & Software startups. Each one broken down across the seven pillars of launch readiness - problem clarity, customer precision, demand signals, differentiation, execution, distribution, and monetisation. Learn the patterns before you repeat them.
Pressure-test yours before you build
Every case here failed on at least one pillar. If you're building in Technology & Software, run your own idea through Launch Control first - the same thirteen questions, the same rubric.
Start Launch Control402 cases
| Company | Industry | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| 24quan | Technology & Software | Failure |
| 2U | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Aereo | Technology & Software | Failure |
| AeroFarms | Technology & Software | Failure |
| AirPair | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Airy Rooms | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Aiways | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Alana | Technology & Software | Failure |
| AllAdvantage.com | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Amazon Fire Phone | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Amazon Kozmo.com | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Amazon Myhabit.com | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Amazon Pets.com | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Amp’d Mobile | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Apparat, Inc. | Technology & Software | Failure |
| AppHarvest | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Applied Data Research | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Aristea Therapeutics | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Arrival | Technology & Software | Failure |
| ArsDigita | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Ask Jeeves | Technology & Software | Failure |
| AutoTester | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Avo | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Bank North | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Baqi (AgTech) | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Basho Technologies | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Beagle Bros | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Berg | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Berkeley Software Design | Technology & Software | Failure |
| BeyondMinds | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Bitcasa | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Bitmain | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Blade (Shadow) | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Blippar | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Blueboard SaaS | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Bolt Mobility | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Boo.com | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Booktopia | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Borgward China | Technology & Software | Failure |
| BranchOut | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Brodmann17 | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Bulb Energy | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Burbn | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Bus.com | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Butler | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Byju's | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Byton | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Cake | Technology & Software | Failure |
| California Pacific Computer Company | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Canoo | Technology & Software | Failure |
| CARUPI | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Casady & Greene | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Casai | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Caspian Networks | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Cazoo | Technology & Software | Failure |
| ChaCha | Technology & Software | Failure |
| ChaCha (search engine) | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Chisel AI | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Claria Corporation | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Clim8 | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Cloudera | Technology & Software | Failure |
| CoffeeAI | Technology & Software | Failure |
| CoHive | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Color Labs | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Commissary Club (formerly 70 Million Jobs) | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Considerations for open | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Consona Corporation | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Control Data Corporation | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Convoy | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Coraid | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Core Scientific | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Corinthian | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Coub | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Couple | Technology & Software | Failure |
| CreatorML | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Crejo | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Cue (search engine) | Technology & Software | Failure |
| CustomerOS | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Dali Education | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Datastorm Technologies | Technology & Software | Failure |
| DEFY Media | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Delicious | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Desti | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Digg | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Digg lays off staff and | Technology & Software | Failure |
| DigitalThink | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Dingdong Maicai | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Divshot | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Domio | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Doodhwala | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Dopplr | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Dr. T's Music Software | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Drawbridge | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Dukaan | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Eazel | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Egghead Software | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Enovate Motors (Tianji) | Technology & Software | Failure |
| eToys | Technology & Software | Failure |
| eToys.com | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Exec | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Fair.com | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Fanclash | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Farfetch | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Fast | Technology & Software | Failure |
| FCNT | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Feiliao (Flipchat) | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Fermata | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Fifth Season Collection | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Fig DevTool | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Fisker Inc. | Technology & Software | Failure |
| FlightCar | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Formspring | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Foursquare Swarm | Technology & Software | Failure |
| FREY | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Friendster | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Frontback | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Frontier Car Group | Technology & Software | Failure |
| FrontRow | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Fuhu | Technology & Software | Failure |
| GAC Mitsubishi Tech Unit | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Garden.com | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Gavelytics | Technology & Software | Failure |
| General Sentiment | Technology & Software | Failure |
| GetGlue | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Getir | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Getir (Intl. Ops) | Technology & Software | Failure |
| GetSwift | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Gigs Live | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Gionee | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Gittigidiyor | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Glitch | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Gobe Software | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Gogokid | Technology & Software | Failure |
| GoMechanic | Technology & Software | Failure |
| GoodCourse | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Google 411 | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Google Allo | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Google Android Things | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Google App Maker | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Google Apture | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Google Chrome App | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Google Chromecast Audio | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Google Datally | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Google Daydream | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Google Dodgeball | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Google Expeditions | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Google Glass | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Google Goo.gl | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Google Jaiku | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Google Lively | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Google Moderator | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Google Neighbourly | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Google Nest Secure | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Google Nexus One | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Google Nexus Q | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Google One Today | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Google Password Checkup | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Google PowerMeter | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Google Tango | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Google Tilt Brush | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Google Translator Toolkit | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Google Trips | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Google Trusted Contacts | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Google Video Marketplace | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Google Youtube Leanback | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Gowalla | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Growth Hacking Plugins | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Guggy | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Handmark | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Hantoo | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Happy Returns | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Hike Messenger | Technology & Software | Failure |
| HiPhi (Human Horizons) | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Honestbee | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Hooq | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Hopin | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Hot Barber | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Humane | Technology & Software | Failure |
| ilumadata | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Infarm | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Informatics General | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Inkling | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Interstate Analytics | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Invoid | Technology & Software | Failure |
| iQiyi VR | Technology & Software | Failure |
| iRobot | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Is there a | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Ivi, Inc. | Technology & Software | Failure |
| IZ3D | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Jingxi | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Jiyue | Technology & Software | Failure |
| JOLED | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Juni Learning | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Kaleida Labs | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Kano | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Karhoo | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Katerra | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Kibu.com | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Kik | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Kingsoft Cloud | Technology & Software | Failure |
| KiOR | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Kippt | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Kitchit | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Kite DevTool | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Knewton | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Knotel | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Koinex | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Kuaibo | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Kuaibo (Qvod) | Technology & Software | Failure |
| LayerVault | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Layup | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Le Tote | Technology & Software | Failure |
| LeEco | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Leflair | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Lekee | Technology & Software | Failure |
| LeSee | Technology & Software | Failure |
| LeSports | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Levteo (Letin) | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Lightyear | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Lilliputian Systems | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Lingyun | Technology & Software | Failure |
| LinkSure | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Lisp Machines | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Looklive | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Lordstown Motors | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Lucid Inc. | Technology & Software | Failure |
| LucidEra | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Lumos | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Lutris Technologies | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Made.com | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Mailbox | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Maker Media | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Manatee | Technology & Software | Failure |
| MantleBio | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Mark Williams Company | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Meatable | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Merlin.pl | Technology & Software | Failure |
| MetaCreations | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Meten EdtechX | Technology & Software | Failure |
| MicroPro International | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Mirror Worlds | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Mixpanel | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Mobli | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Mode Media | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Modsy | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Moka5 | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Monster Worldwide | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Mt Xinu | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Multichain | Technology & Software | Failure |
| myNurse | Technology & Software | Failure |
| MySee | Technology & Software | Failure |
| MySpace | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Navdy | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Neeva | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Neptyne | Technology & Software | Failure |
| NetEase Koala | Technology & Software | Failure |
| New Age Meats | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Nitrous.io | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Niutron | Technology & Software | Failure |
| NK.pl | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Ole | Technology & Software | Failure |
| OneWeb | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Onkyo | Technology & Software | Failure |
| OpenCandy | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Overflux | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Paperback Software | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Parabolic | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Parse.com | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Patchwork | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Path | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Patron.ai | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Pegipegi | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Penguin AI | Technology & Software | Failure |
| PepperTap | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Photobucket | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Photodex | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Pico | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Piston Cloud | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Plastc | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Plenty | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Pluralsight | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Powin Energy | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Ptech | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Qiantu Motor | Technology & Software | Failure |
| QingCloud | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Qoros Auto | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Quanmin TV | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Quarterdeck Office Systems | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Quary | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Queenly | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Quibi | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Quid | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Quixey | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Rad Power Bikes | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Rap Genius | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Readability | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Renown | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Reploy | Technology & Software | Failure |
| RethinkDB | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Revery AI | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Riffsy | Technology & Software | Failure |
| RoboHR | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Royole Corporation | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Scratch Data | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Second | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Secret | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Secured | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Seven Dreamers Laboratories | Technology & Software | Failure |
| ShareThis | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Shixianghui | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Shoes of Prey | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Sidenote | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Sigfox | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Signa Sports | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Singulato | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Singulex | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Slauth.io | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Smartisan | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Songza | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Sono Motors | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Spoken | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Springpad | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Stadia | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Starry | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Startup Failure Post-Mortems 2022 Fourth Update (10/05/22) | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Startup Failure Post-Mortems 2022 Third Update (07/16/22) | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Stayzilla | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Stellar | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Struct | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Subspace | Technology & Software | Failure |
| SunCable | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Sunu | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Tango | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Tascent | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Teemyco | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Teforia | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Tencent Huiying | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Terraform Labs | Technology & Software | Failure |
| The Iron Yard | Technology & Software | Failure |
| The Mercer Club | Technology & Software | Failure |
| TheGlobe.com | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Thunder Power | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Thunderpod | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Tiny Speck | Technology & Software | Failure |
| TinyChat | Technology & Software | Failure |
| TinyOwl | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Tongcheng Life | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Top Hat | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Topix | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Tout | Technology & Software | Failure |
| ToyGaroo | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Toymail | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Trell | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Tumblr | Technology & Software | Failure |
| TutorGroup (iTutor) | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Twitter Fabric | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Twitter Music | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Udacity | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Unhaze | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Unlockd | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Value Voting | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Vice Media | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Vidme | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Vine | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Vreal | Technology & Software | Failure |
| WanderJaunt | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Washio | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Webvan Group | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Wejo | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Whisper | Technology & Software | Failure |
| WhoSay | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Wimm Labs | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Wingocard | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Wishbone | Technology & Software | Failure |
| WM Motor | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Wonder | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Woo | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Woolet | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Wriggle | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Wukong Wenda | Technology & Software | Failure |
| WunderGraph | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Xberts | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Xingsheng Youxuan | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Xobni | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Yahoo Buzz | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Yahoo Groups | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Yiguo Fresh | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Yimidida | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Yo | Technology & Software | Failure |
| YourQuote | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Youxin | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Yuanfudao | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Zeku | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Zen Rooms | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Zhangmen | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Zhenai | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Zhidou | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Zhubajie | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Zilingo | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Zovio | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Zuoyebang | Technology & Software | Failure |
| Zymergen | Technology & Software | Failure |