From an almost-acquisition to closure: plans are not cash
A founder described an acquisition falling apart during a financial crisis and the eventual closure of the business.
The takeaway
Even near a promising exit, plan to survive independently.
The context
robomartin recalled years building a hardware and software company. An interested acquirer withdrew during the 2008 crisis, and the business later closed. He eventually saw lasting value in the capabilities he had developed. This is his account; an indicative acquisition offer is not realized revenue.
Steps worth trying
Editorial suggestions, not promises made by the original author.
- 01
Recalculate runway assuming the hoped-for transaction never happens.
- 02
Define triggers for cost adjustments and pausing investment.
- 03
Separate controllable decisions from external factors in the retrospective.
Where this applies — and where it may not
The account spans different market cycles. Persistence does not ensure success and should not justify sacrificing health or personal life.
From the discussion
“Sometimes wins are not necessarily measured with financial success.”
@robomartin · View source
I am (not) a failure: Lessons learned from six failed startup attempts
@lisper · 547 points · 313 comments
Read the Hacker News threadSource: OpenIndex Hacker News dataset (ODC-By). Original content belongs to its authors. Summaries, translations, and suggested steps are AI-assisted editorial work. Read the sources; individual outcomes are not guarantees.