Tell me more ×
Answers OnStartups is a question and answer site for entrepreneurs looking to start or run a new business. It's 100% free, no registration required.
up vote 7 down vote favorite
6

There are thousands of books out there that tell us about all kinds of successful and inspiring companies, and why they are successful.

But what about promising companies that failed in the first two years, and why they failed?

Do you have recommendations on good books dedicated to failures?

share|improve this question
+1 I learn the most from my own failures -- and would love to learn from others! Let me know if you find -- or choose to write this book! – Joseph Barisonzi Jun 20 '11 at 3:14

closed as not constructive by Zuly Gonzalez♦ Dec 24 '12 at 13:51

As it currently stands, this question is not a good fit for our Q&A format. We expect answers to be supported by facts, references, or specific expertise, but this question will likely solicit debate, arguments, polling, or extended discussion. If you feel that this question can be improved and possibly reopened, see the FAQ for guidance.

9 Answers

up vote 3 down vote

While you wait for the book here are some reaousrces you might like:

From Paul Graham one of the co-founders of Y-Combinator there is this great essay: The 18 mistakes that kill a Start-up.

I have this essay by Steve Spalding bookmarked since 2007 and reference it a lot: How to ensure your start-up will fail.

share|improve this answer
up vote 2 down vote

The classic book on a software failure is the one done about Netscape. "Competing on Internet Time" is an amazing inside look at why Netscape failed in its battle with Microsoft.

I tremendously enjoyed this book and learned a lot about what can be done wrong from it.

enter image description here

share|improve this answer
up vote 1 down vote

The movie Startup.com has some good insights about reasons businesses fail too. I highly recommend this documentary.

share|improve this answer
What I got from Startup.com was that they seemed to be much more focused on getting more and more funding than on producing a product that worked and was useful. – Alex - Aotea Studios Jun 21 '11 at 3:56
up vote 1 down vote

How about "In Search of Stupidity: Over Twenty Years of High Tech Marketing Disasters"

Is on Joels 'product manager reading list' I believe - basic premise is that nearly all hi-tech/software companies fail because they do something very very stupid. If you look at Microsoft they have a lot of head slapping moments, but have done nothing catastrophically stupid.

share|improve this answer
up vote 0 down vote

One of the most popular books describing a failed startup is... "Startup" by Jerry Kaplan. It tells the story of the first pen PDA, competing with Apple and Microsoft, and ultimately failing with all kinds of boardroom drama.

share|improve this answer
up vote 0 down vote

f&*cked company? it started as a blog then became a book I believe

share|improve this answer
up vote 0 down vote

I read this book a few years ago and learned so much from it. It's a great read! http://www.amazon.com/Dreaming-Code-Programmers-Transcendent-Software/dp/1400082471/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1308623429&sr=8-1

share|improve this answer
I liked this book too. It shows that even with funding there's plenty of ways to fail. – Alex - Aotea Studios Jun 21 '11 at 3:54
up vote 0 down vote

Check these books out :

The most important is just follow your heart. Get Things Done!

share|improve this answer
Please use long links (not affiliated) and not short ones. – Ross Jun 23 '11 at 6:48
up vote 0 down vote

Two books that I really enjoyed reading are

Boo Hoo and dot.bomb

http://www.amazon.com/Boo-Hoo-Dot-com-Concept-Catastrophe/dp/0099418371/

http://www.amazon.com/dot-bomb-Days-Nights-Internet-Goliath/dp/B000FILLLE/

share|improve this answer
Boo Hoo is awesome. Almost reads like a thriller. – Susan Jones Jun 20 '11 at 12:09

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.