Failure intelligence, not failure trivia
F Failurepedia

Research surface

The Failure Lab

Explore the recurring patterns behind 357 documented failures. Pick a domain, decade, cause, or collapse pattern and every view re-scopes around the same question. Aggregate claims link back to the cases behind them. How the data is built.

357 published cases · 9 domains · median 4 sources per case · coverage & methodology

All failures

357 of 357 cases
No filters applied.

Findings from the archive

Findings

  • The most common root cause in this view is unsustainable economics, in 77 of 357 cases. n=357
  • Failures here sit most often at the strategy layer (155 of 357). n=357
  • Median lifespan in this view is 60 months (331 cases with a recorded lifespan). n=331
    Based on 331 of 357 cases with a recorded lifespan.
  • Failure to adapt most often appears with stronger competitor (17 cases in this view). n=17

Failure landscape

Preventability by collapse speed

TechnologyStartupCorporateMediaTransportationFinanceConsumer productInfrastructureHistory
Collapse speed →Preventability →GradualRapidSuddenHighMediumLow2013 Singapore Penny Stock Crash — Securities Trading, Finance, Governance layer, Sudden collapse, High preventability3dfx — Semiconductors, Technology, Strategy layer, Rapid collapse, High preventability42Floors — Commercial Real Estate, Startup, Strategy layer, Rapid collapse, High preventabilityA-11 Football League — Sports & Entertainment, Media, Execution layer, Gradual collapse, Medium preventabilityA&P (Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company) — Grocery Retail, Corporate, Strategy layer, Gradual collapse, Medium preventabilityA123 Systems — Energy Storage, Technology, Strategy layer, Gradual collapse, Medium preventabilityAereo — Streaming Media, Media, Environment layer, Sudden collapse, Medium preventabilityAIG (2008 bailout) — Insurance, Finance, Governance layer, Rapid collapse, High preventabilityAir Berlin — Airlines, Transportation, Strategy layer, Rapid collapse, Medium preventabilityAir India — Airlines, Transportation, Strategy layer, Gradual collapse, Medium preventabilityAirware — Drones, Technology, Strategy layer, Sudden collapse, Medium preventabilityAlcatel-Lucent — Telecommunications Equipment, Technology, Strategy layer, Gradual collapse, Medium preventabilityAlitalia — Airlines, Transportation, Strategy layer, Gradual collapse, Medium preventabilityAltaVista — Web Search, Technology, Strategy layer, Gradual collapse, High preventabilityAmazon Destinations — Online Travel, Consumer product, Strategy layer, Sudden collapse, Medium preventabilityAmazon Fire Phone — Consumer Electronics, Technology, Strategy layer, Rapid collapse, High preventabilityAmazon Local — Local Commerce, Technology, Thesis layer, Gradual collapse, Medium preventabilityAmazon Restaurants — Food Delivery, Technology, Strategy layer, Gradual collapse, Medium preventabilityAmazon Spark — Social Commerce, Technology, Thesis layer, Rapid collapse, High preventabilityAMR Corporation (American Airlines) 2011 Bankruptcy — Airlines, Transportation, Environment layer, Gradual collapse, Medium preventabilityAnbang Insurance Group — Insurance, Finance, Governance layer, Rapid collapse, High preventabilityAnki — Consumer Robotics, Consumer product, Strategy layer, Sudden collapse, Medium preventabilityAnsett Australia — Airlines, Transportation, Strategy layer, Rapid collapse, Medium preventabilityAOL–Time Warner — Media & Internet, Media, Governance layer, Rapid collapse, Medium preventabilityApp.net — Social Media, Startup, Thesis layer, Gradual collapse, Medium preventabilityApple AirPower — Consumer Electronics, Technology, Execution layer, Gradual collapse, High preventabilityApple Lisa — Personal Computers, Technology, Strategy layer, Gradual collapse, High preventabilityApple Maps (2012 launch) — Software (Mapping), Technology, Execution layer, Sudden collapse, High preventabilityApple Newton (MessagePad) — Consumer Electronics, Technology, Execution layer, Gradual collapse, Medium preventabilityApple Ping — Social Media, Technology, Execution layer, Gradual collapse, High preventabilityArcandor — Retail, Corporate, Strategy layer, Gradual collapse, Medium preventabilityAtari and the 1983 Video Game Crash — Video Games, Technology, Execution layer, Rapid collapse, High preventabilityAtrium — Legal Technology, Startup, Strategy layer, Rapid collapse, High preventabilityBalanced Payments — Payments, Startup, Environment layer, Gradual collapse, Low preventabilityBank of United States (1930 failure) — Commercial Banking, History, Strategy layer, Sudden collapse, Medium preventabilityBarings Bank crisis (1890) — Merchant Banking, History, Strategy layer, Gradual collapse, High preventabilityBarneys New York — Luxury Retail, Corporate, Strategy layer, Rapid collapse, Medium preventabilityBeanie Babies bubble — Toys, Consumer product, Thesis layer, Gradual collapse, High preventabilityBear Stearns — Investment Banking, Finance, Governance layer, Sudden collapse, High preventabilityBeats Music — Music Streaming, Media, Strategy layer, Rapid collapse, Low preventabilityBeepi — Used-Car Marketplace, Startup, Strategy layer, Rapid collapse, High preventabilityBeme — Social Media, Startup, Thesis layer, Gradual collapse, Medium preventabilityBenQ Mobile — Mobile Phones, Technology, Strategy layer, Rapid collapse, Medium preventabilityBerlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) — Aviation & Public Infrastructure, Infrastructure, Governance layer, Gradual collapse, High preventabilityBethlehem Steel — Steel, Corporate, Environment layer, Gradual collapse, Medium preventabilityBetter Place — Electric Vehicles, Startup, Thesis layer, Rapid collapse, Medium preventabilityBiosphere 2 — Environmental Science, Technology, Execution layer, Gradual collapse, Medium preventabilityBird — Micromobility, Transportation, Thesis layer, Gradual collapse, Medium preventabilityBlab — Live Streaming, Startup, Thesis layer, Rapid collapse, Medium preventabilityBlack Bottom and Paradise Valley — Urban Renewal, Infrastructure, Strategy layer, Gradual collapse, Medium preventabilityBlackBerry — Smartphones, Technology, Strategy layer, Rapid collapse, Medium preventabilityBlackBerry PlayBook — Tablets, Technology, Execution layer, Rapid collapse, High preventabilityBlockbuster — Video Rental, Media, Strategy layer, Gradual collapse, Medium preventabilityBlue Apron — Meal-Kit Delivery, Startup, Strategy layer, Gradual collapse, Medium preventabilityBoo.com — E-commerce, Startup, Execution layer, Rapid collapse, High preventabilityBorders — Bookstore Retail, Media, Strategy layer, Gradual collapse, Medium preventabilityBraniff International — Airlines, Transportation, Strategy layer, Rapid collapse, High preventabilityBritish Leyland — Automotive manufacturing, Transportation, Execution layer, Gradual collapse, Medium preventabilityBump — Consumer Mobile Apps, Startup, Thesis layer, Rapid collapse, Medium preventabilityCadillac Cimarron — Automotive, Transportation, Thesis layer, Gradual collapse, High preventabilityCasper Sleep — Direct-to-Consumer Mattresses and Bedding, Consumer product, Strategy layer, Gradual collapse, Medium preventabilityChrysler (2009 bankruptcy) — Automotive, Transportation, Governance layer, Rapid collapse, Medium preventabilityCircuit City — Retail, Corporate, Execution layer, Rapid collapse, High preventabilityCNN+ — Streaming Media, Media, Environment layer, Sudden collapse, High preventabilityCoda Automotive — Automotive, Transportation, Strategy layer, Gradual collapse, Medium preventabilityCold fusion (1989) — Scientific Research, Technology, Execution layer, Rapid collapse, High preventabilityColor Labs (Color app) — Photo Sharing, Startup, Thesis layer, Rapid collapse, High preventabilityComet — Electronics Retail, Corporate, Strategy layer, Rapid collapse, Medium preventabilityCommodore International — Home Computers, Technology, Governance layer, Gradual collapse, High preventabilityCompaq — Personal Computers, Technology, Strategy layer, Gradual collapse, Medium preventabilityConcorde — Aviation, Transportation, Environment layer, Gradual collapse, Medium preventabilityCONTOUR (2002) — Aerospace and Space Exploration, Technology, Execution layer, Sudden collapse, High preventabilityCoolest Cooler — Consumer Products, Consumer product, Execution layer, Gradual collapse, High preventabilityCrystal Pepsi — Beverages, Consumer product, Thesis layer, Rapid collapse, Medium preventabilityCueCat — Consumer Electronics, Technology, Thesis layer, Rapid collapse, High preventabilityCyanogen Inc — Mobile Software, Technology, Thesis layer, Rapid collapse, High preventabilityDaewoo Group — Conglomerate, Corporate, Strategy layer, Rapid collapse, Medium preventabilityDaimlerChrysler — Automotive, Transportation, Governance layer, Gradual collapse, Medium preventabilityDART (2005 autonomous rendezvous demonstration) — Aerospace and Space Exploration, Technology, Execution layer, Sudden collapse, High preventabilityDebenhams — Retail, Corporate, Strategy layer, Gradual collapse, Medium preventabilityDeLorean Motor Company — Automotive, Transportation, Execution layer, Rapid collapse, Medium preventabilityDenver Airport Automated Baggage System — Aviation & Systems Engineering, Infrastructure, Execution layer, Gradual collapse, High preventabilityDick Smith Electronics — Retail, Corporate, Governance layer, Rapid collapse, High preventabilityDigg — Social Media, Media, Execution layer, Rapid collapse, High preventabilityDigital Equipment Corporation (DEC) — Computing, Corporate, Strategy layer, Gradual collapse, High preventabilityDoppler Labs — Consumer Electronics, Technology, Execution layer, Rapid collapse, Medium preventabilityDuke Nukem Forever — Video Games, Technology, Execution layer, Gradual collapse, High preventabilityEagle Hospitality Trust — Hospitality Real Estate (REIT), Finance, Governance layer, Rapid collapse, High preventabilityEllo — Social Media, Startup, Thesis layer, Gradual collapse, Medium preventabilityEncyclopaedia Britannica — Reference Publishing, Media, Thesis layer, Gradual collapse, Medium preventabilityEsprit Holdings — Fashion retail, Consumer product, Strategy layer, Gradual collapse, Medium preventabilityEssential — Consumer Electronics, Technology, Environment layer, Gradual collapse, Low preventabilityeToys.com — E-commerce, Startup, Strategy layer, Rapid collapse, High preventabilityEuro Disney / Disneyland Paris — Theme Parks and Entertainment, Corporate, Strategy layer, Gradual collapse, Medium preventabilityEuropean Super League — Sports & Entertainment, Media, Governance layer, Sudden collapse, High preventabilityEverpix — Consumer Software (Photography), Startup, Strategy layer, Rapid collapse, Medium preventabilityExcite@Home — Internet, Technology, Strategy layer, Rapid collapse, High preventabilityExec — On-Demand Services, Startup, Thesis layer, Rapid collapse, High preventabilityF.W. Woolworth — Retail, Corporate, Strategy layer, Gradual collapse, Medium preventabilityFab.com — E-commerce, Startup, Strategy layer, Rapid collapse, High preventabilityFacebook Credits — Social Media Platforms, Consumer product, Strategy layer, Rapid collapse, High preventabilityFacebook Gifts — Social Commerce, Consumer product, Thesis layer, Gradual collapse, Medium preventabilityFacebook Home — Mobile Software, Technology, Thesis layer, Rapid collapse, High preventabilityFacebook M — Artificial Intelligence, Technology, Thesis layer, Gradual collapse, Medium preventabilityFacebook Paper — Consumer Software, Technology, Thesis layer, Rapid collapse, High preventabilityFacebook Poke — Social Media, Technology, Thesis layer, Sudden collapse, High preventabilityFacebook Slingshot — Social Media, Technology, Execution layer, Gradual collapse, High preventabilityFisker Automotive — Automotive, Transportation, Execution layer, Gradual collapse, Medium preventabilityFlip Video — Consumer Electronics, Technology, Environment layer, Rapid collapse, Medium preventabilityFlybe — Aviation, Transportation, Strategy layer, Rapid collapse, Medium preventabilityFokker — Aircraft Manufacturing, Transportation, Environment layer, Rapid collapse, Medium preventabilityFord Edsel — Automotive, Transportation, Thesis layer, Rapid collapse, Medium preventabilityForever 21 — Apparel Retail, Corporate, Strategy layer, Gradual collapse, High preventabilityFriendster — Social Media, Media, Execution layer, Gradual collapse, High preventabilityFry's Electronics — Electronics Retail, Corporate, Strategy layer, Gradual collapse, High preventabilityGeneral Magic — Consumer Electronics, Startup, Environment layer, Gradual collapse, Low preventabilityGeneral Motors (2009 bankruptcy) — Automotive, Corporate, Strategy layer, Gradual collapse, High preventabilityGenesis Sample-Return Capsule — Aerospace and Space Exploration, Technology, Execution layer, Sudden collapse, High preventabilityGilt Groupe — Flash-Sale Ecommerce, Startup, Strategy layer, Gradual collapse, Medium preventabilityGoogle Allo — Messaging, Technology, Strategy layer, Gradual collapse, High preventabilityGoogle Answers — Internet Services, Technology, Strategy layer, Gradual collapse, Medium preventabilityGoogle Buzz — Social Networking, Technology, Governance layer, Rapid collapse, High preventabilityGoogle Clips — Consumer Electronics, Consumer product, Thesis layer, Gradual collapse, Medium preventabilityGoogle Daydream — Virtual Reality, Technology, Thesis layer, Gradual collapse, Medium preventabilityGoogle Duo — Consumer Messaging and Communications, Technology, Strategy layer, Gradual collapse, High preventabilityGoogle Glass — Wearables, Technology, Thesis layer, Gradual collapse, Medium preventabilityGoogle Hangouts — Consumer Messaging and Communications, Technology, Strategy layer, Gradual collapse, High preventabilityGoogle Health — Health Technology, Technology, Thesis layer, Gradual collapse, Medium preventabilityGoogle Inbox — Communication Software, Technology, Strategy layer, Gradual collapse, Low preventabilityGoogle Jamboard — Collaboration Hardware, Consumer product, Strategy layer, Gradual collapse, Medium preventabilityGoogle Knol — Online Publishing, Technology, Thesis layer, Gradual collapse, Medium preventabilityGoogle Latitude — Location and Mapping Software, Technology, Strategy layer, Gradual collapse, Medium preventabilityGoogle OnHub — Consumer Networking Hardware, Consumer product, Strategy layer, Gradual collapse, High preventabilityGoogle Play Music — Music Streaming Software, Technology, Strategy layer, Gradual collapse, High preventabilityGoogle Podcasts — Software, Technology, Strategy layer, Gradual collapse, Medium preventabilityGoogle Reader — Software, Technology, Strategy layer, Gradual collapse, High preventabilityGoogle Stadia — Cloud Gaming, Technology, Strategy layer, Gradual collapse, Medium preventabilityGoogle Trips — Consumer Software and Travel, Technology, Strategy layer, Gradual collapse, Medium preventabilityGoogle Wave — Communication Software, Technology, Thesis layer, Rapid collapse, High preventabilityGoogle+ — Social Media, Media, Thesis layer, Gradual collapse, Medium preventabilityGoPro Karma — Consumer Electronics, Technology, Execution layer, Rapid collapse, High preventabilityGrooveshark — Music Streaming, Startup, Governance layer, Sudden collapse, Medium preventabilityGroupon — Local Commerce, Technology, Governance layer, Rapid collapse, High preventabilityGrundig — Consumer Electronics, Consumer product, Strategy layer, Gradual collapse, Medium preventabilityHailo (US Operations) — Ride-Hailing and Taxi Technology, Transportation, Strategy layer, Rapid collapse, Medium preventabilityHanbo Steel — Steel Manufacturing, Corporate, Governance layer, Rapid collapse, High preventabilityHanjin Shipping — Container Shipping, Transportation, Environment layer, Rapid collapse, Medium preventabilityHD DVD — Consumer Electronics, Technology, Environment layer, Rapid collapse, Low preventabilityHeaven's Gate — Film Production, Media, Governance layer, Rapid collapse, High preventabilityHipmunk — Travel Search, Startup, Environment layer, Gradual collapse, Medium preventabilityHMV — Music Retail, Media, Strategy layer, Gradual collapse, Medium preventabilityHomejoy — On-demand Services, Startup, Thesis layer, Rapid collapse, Medium preventabilityHouse of Fraser — Retail, Corporate, Strategy layer, Gradual collapse, Medium preventabilityHouseparty — Social Media, Technology, Environment layer, Rapid collapse, Medium preventabilityHP TouchPad — Consumer Electronics, Technology, Execution layer, Sudden collapse, High preventabilityHubble Space Telescope Primary-Mirror Flaw — Aerospace and Space Science, Technology, Execution layer, Sudden collapse, High preventabilityHughes H-4 Hercules (Spruce Goose) — Aerospace and Defense, Transportation, Environment layer, Gradual collapse, Medium preventabilityHummer — Automotive, Transportation, Environment layer, Rapid collapse, Medium preventabilityHyflux — Water Treatment & Desalination, Infrastructure, Strategy layer, Gradual collapse, High preventabilityIBM OS/2 — Operating Systems, Technology, Strategy layer, Gradual collapse, Medium preventabilityIGTV — Social Media, Media, Strategy layer, Gradual collapse, Medium preventabilityInstagram Threads (2019 companion app) — Social Media, Technology, Thesis layer, Gradual collapse, Medium preventabilityIntel Vaunt — Consumer Electronics and Wearables, Consumer product, Strategy layer, Rapid collapse, Medium preventabilityIridium (original) — Satellite Communications, Infrastructure, Thesis layer, Rapid collapse, Medium preventabilityJ.C. Penney (Ron Johnson era) — Retail, Corporate, Strategy layer, Rapid collapse, High preventabilityJ.Crew — Apparel Retail, Corporate, Governance layer, Gradual collapse, Medium preventabilityJaiku — Social Media, Technology, Strategy layer, Gradual collapse, High preventabilityJawbone — Consumer Hardware, Startup, Execution layer, Gradual collapse, Medium preventabilityJet Airways — Airlines, Transportation, Strategy layer, Rapid collapse, Medium preventabilityJibo — Consumer Robotics, Consumer product, Thesis layer, Gradual collapse, Medium preventabilityJuicero — Consumer Hardware, Startup, Thesis layer, Rapid collapse, Medium preventabilityKiko — Productivity Software, Startup, Strategy layer, Rapid collapse, Medium preventabilityKingfisher Airlines — Airlines, Transportation, Strategy layer, Gradual collapse, Medium preventabilityKlout — Social Media Analytics, Startup, Thesis layer, Gradual collapse, Medium preventabilityKmart — Retail, Corporate, Strategy layer, Gradual collapse, Medium preventabilityKnight Capital — Trading & Market-Making, Finance, Execution layer, Sudden collapse, High preventabilityKodak — Photography, Corporate, Strategy layer, Gradual collapse, Medium preventabilityKozmo.com — On-demand Delivery, Startup, Thesis layer, Rapid collapse, High preventabilityLamarckian inheritance — Scientific Research, Technology, Execution layer, Gradual collapse, Low preventabilityLeEco — Consumer Technology Conglomerate, Corporate, Strategy layer, Gradual collapse, High preventabilityLehman Brothers — Investment Banking, Finance, Governance layer, Rapid collapse, High preventabilityLewis spacecraft — Aerospace and Space Exploration, Technology, Execution layer, Sudden collapse, High preventabilityLibra / Diem (Meta's cryptocurrency) — Cryptocurrency, Finance, Environment layer, Gradual collapse, Medium preventabilityLondon Millennium Bridge Opening-Day Wobble — Civil & Structural Engineering, Infrastructure, Execution layer, Sudden collapse, Medium preventabilityLong-Term Capital Management — Hedge Funds, Finance, Governance layer, Rapid collapse, High preventabilityLoopt — Location-Based Social, Startup, Environment layer, Gradual collapse, Medium preventabilityLuckin Coffee — Coffee Retail, Consumer product, Governance layer, Rapid collapse, High preventabilityLuxe — Transportation, Startup, Thesis layer, Gradual collapse, Medium preventabilityLytro — Cameras, Technology, Thesis layer, Gradual collapse, High preventabilityMacy's Nationalization of May Department Stores — Department Store Retail, Corporate, Strategy layer, Rapid collapse, High preventabilityMagic Leap — Augmented Reality, Technology, Thesis layer, Gradual collapse, Medium preventabilityMaple — Food Delivery, Startup, Strategy layer, Rapid collapse, Medium preventabilityMaplin — Electronics Retail, Corporate, Strategy layer, Rapid collapse, Medium preventabilityMarconi (GEC) — Telecommunications Equipment, Corporate, Governance layer, Rapid collapse, High preventabilityMars Climate Orbiter — Aerospace and Space Exploration, Technology, Execution layer, Sudden collapse, High preventabilityMars Observer — Aerospace and Space Exploration, Technology, Execution layer, Sudden collapse, Low preventabilityMars Polar Lander — Aerospace and Space Exploration, Technology, Execution layer, Sudden collapse, High preventabilityMcDonald's Arch Deluxe — Fast Food, Consumer product, Thesis layer, Gradual collapse, High preventabilityMedici Bank — Merchant Banking, History, Governance layer, Gradual collapse, Medium preventabilityMeerkat — Social Media, Startup, Environment layer, Rapid collapse, Low preventabilityMerrill Lynch — Investment Banking, Finance, Governance layer, Rapid collapse, High preventabilityMeta Portal — Consumer Electronics, Consumer product, Thesis layer, Gradual collapse, High preventabilityMeta Spark — Augmented Reality and Creator Tools, Technology, Strategy layer, Rapid collapse, Low preventabilityMG Rover — Automotive, Transportation, Environment layer, Gradual collapse, Low preventabilityMicrosoft Band — Wearables, Technology, Environment layer, Gradual collapse, Low preventabilityMicrosoft Bob — Consumer Software, Technology, Thesis layer, Rapid collapse, High preventabilityMicrosoft Encarta — Reference Software, Technology, Thesis layer, Gradual collapse, Medium preventabilityMicrosoft Kin — Mobile Phones, Technology, Strategy layer, Sudden collapse, High preventabilityMicrosoft Zune — Consumer Electronics, Technology, Environment layer, Gradual collapse, Low preventabilityMississippi Bubble — Public Finance, Finance, Thesis layer, Sudden collapse, High preventabilityMixer — Game Streaming, Media, Strategy layer, Rapid collapse, Medium preventabilityMonarch Airlines — Airlines, Transportation, Environment layer, Rapid collapse, Low preventabilityMontgomery Ward — Retail, Corporate, Strategy layer, Gradual collapse, High preventabilityMontreal Expos relocation to Washington — Sports & Entertainment, Media, Environment layer, Gradual collapse, Medium preventabilityMothercare — Retail, Corporate, Strategy layer, Gradual collapse, Medium preventabilityMotorola (mobile phones) — Mobile Phones, Technology, Strategy layer, Rapid collapse, High preventabilityMove Loot — E-commerce and Logistics, Startup, Execution layer, Gradual collapse, Medium preventabilityMoviePass — Movie Subscription, Media, Strategy layer, Rapid collapse, Medium preventabilityMunchery — Food Delivery, Startup, Strategy layer, Gradual collapse, High preventabilityMySpace — Social Media, Media, Execution layer, Gradual collapse, High preventabilityNapster (original) — Music & File Sharing, Media, Environment layer, Rapid collapse, Medium preventabilityNASA's Constellation Program — Aerospace, Technology, Governance layer, Gradual collapse, Medium preventabilityNasty Gal — E-commerce, Corporate, Strategy layer, Gradual collapse, Medium preventabilityNational Aero-Space Plane / X-30 — Aerospace, Technology, Thesis layer, Gradual collapse, Medium preventabilityNetscape — Web Browsers, Technology, Environment layer, Rapid collapse, Low preventabilityNew Coke — Beverages, Consumer product, Thesis layer, Sudden collapse, High preventabilityNexus Q — Consumer Electronics, Consumer product, Strategy layer, Sudden collapse, High preventabilityNintendo Virtual Boy — Consumer Electronics, Technology, Execution layer, Rapid collapse, High preventabilityNintendo Wii U — Video Game Consoles, Technology, Strategy layer, Gradual collapse, High preventabilityNoble Group — Commodities Trading, Finance, Governance layer, Gradual collapse, High preventabilityNokia (mobile phones) — Mobile Phones, Technology, Strategy layer, Rapid collapse, Medium preventabilityNokia N-Gage — Consumer Electronics, Technology, Thesis layer, Rapid collapse, High preventabilityNortel — Telecommunications Equipment, Technology, Strategy layer, Rapid collapse, Medium preventabilityNorthern Rock — Banking & Mortgages, Finance, Environment layer, Rapid collapse, Medium preventabilityOculus Go — Virtual Reality Hardware, Consumer product, Strategy layer, Gradual collapse, Medium preventabilityOculus Rooms — Virtual Reality Software, Consumer product, Strategy layer, Gradual collapse, Medium preventabilityOfo — Bike Sharing, Startup, Thesis layer, Gradual collapse, High preventabilityOldsmobile — Automotive, Transportation, Strategy layer, Gradual collapse, Medium preventabilityOlympia & York — Real Estate, Finance, Strategy layer, Rapid collapse, Medium preventabilityOlympus Corporation — Precision Instruments & Optics, Corporate, Governance layer, Rapid collapse, High preventabilityOMGPOP — Mobile Games, Startup, Strategy layer, Rapid collapse, High preventabilityOne.Tel — Telecommunications, Technology, Governance layer, Rapid collapse, High preventabilityOnLive — Cloud Gaming, Technology, Environment layer, Rapid collapse, Medium preventabilityOsborne Computer Corporation — Personal Computers, Technology, Execution layer, Rapid collapse, High preventabilityOuya — Video Game Consoles, Technology, Thesis layer, Rapid collapse, High preventabilityPalm, Inc. — Consumer Electronics, Technology, Strategy layer, Gradual collapse, Medium preventabilityPan Am — Airlines, Transportation, Strategy layer, Gradual collapse, Medium preventabilityParse — Developer Tools, Startup, Strategy layer, Gradual collapse, Low preventabilityPath — Social Media, Startup, Strategy layer, Gradual collapse, Medium preventabilityPayless ShoeSource — Footwear Retail, Corporate, Strategy layer, Gradual collapse, Medium preventabilityPebble — Consumer Electronics, Technology, Environment layer, Rapid collapse, Low preventabilityPeriscope — Social Media, Technology, Strategy layer, Gradual collapse, Medium preventabilityPets.com — E-commerce, Startup, Thesis layer, Rapid collapse, Medium preventabilityPhilips CD-i — Consumer Electronics, Technology, Thesis layer, Gradual collapse, High preventabilityPhlogiston theory — Scientific Research, Technology, Thesis layer, Gradual collapse, Low preventabilityPier 1 Imports — Home Goods Retail, Corporate, Strategy layer, Gradual collapse, Medium preventabilityPiltdown Man — Scientific Research, Technology, Governance layer, Gradual collapse, High preventabilityPlayStation Vita — Video Games, Technology, Execution layer, Gradual collapse, Medium preventabilityPolaroid — Photography, Consumer product, Strategy layer, Gradual collapse, Medium preventabilityPolywater — Scientific Research, Technology, Execution layer, Gradual collapse, High preventabilityPontiac Aztek — Automotive, Transportation, Execution layer, Gradual collapse, High preventabilityPowa Technologies — Fintech & Mobile Commerce, Startup, Execution layer, Rapid collapse, High preventabilityPrim — On-Demand Laundry, Startup, Strategy layer, Rapid collapse, High preventabilityQuaker Oats & Snapple — Beverages, Consumer product, Thesis layer, Rapid collapse, High preventabilityQuibi — Streaming Media, Media, Thesis layer, Rapid collapse, High preventabilityQuirky — Consumer Products, Startup, Strategy layer, Gradual collapse, High preventabilityRadioShack — Retail, Corporate, Strategy layer, Gradual collapse, Medium preventabilityRapportive — Email Productivity Tools, Startup, Strategy layer, Gradual collapse, Medium preventabilityRBS and the ABN AMRO Acquisition — Banking, Finance, Governance layer, Rapid collapse, High preventabilityRCA — Electronics and Broadcasting, Corporate, Strategy layer, Gradual collapse, Medium preventabilityRdio — Music Streaming, Startup, Strategy layer, Gradual collapse, Medium preventabilityRethink Robotics — Robotics, Technology, Execution layer, Rapid collapse, Medium preventabilityRobinsons (Singapore) — Department Store Retail, Consumer product, Strategy layer, Gradual collapse, Medium preventabilitySaab Automobile — Automotive, Transportation, Strategy layer, Gradual collapse, Medium preventabilitySaatchi & Saatchi — Advertising, Corporate, Governance layer, Gradual collapse, Medium preventabilitySatyam Computer Services — IT Services, Technology, Governance layer, Sudden collapse, High preventabilityScaleFactor — Fintech, Startup, Execution layer, Rapid collapse, High preventabilitySchlecker — Retail, Corporate, Strategy layer, Gradual collapse, Medium preventabilitySears (Lampert era) — Retail, Corporate, Strategy layer, Gradual collapse, High preventabilitySecret — Anonymous Social, Startup, Execution layer, Rapid collapse, High preventabilitySeeso — Streaming Media, Media, Thesis layer, Rapid collapse, High preventabilitySega Dreamcast — Video Game Consoles, Technology, Environment layer, Rapid collapse, Low preventabilitySegway PT — Personal Transportation, Technology, Thesis layer, Gradual collapse, Medium preventabilityShyp — Logistics, Startup, Strategy layer, Gradual collapse, High preventabilitySidecar — Ridesharing, Startup, Environment layer, Gradual collapse, Low preventabilitySilicon Graphics (SGI) — Computing Hardware, Technology, Strategy layer, Gradual collapse, Medium preventabilitySilicon Valley Bank — Banking, Finance, Governance layer, Sudden collapse, High preventabilitySinclair C5 — Electric Vehicles, Transportation, Thesis layer, Rapid collapse, High preventabilitySino-Forest Corporation — Forestry & Timber, Corporate, Governance layer, Rapid collapse, High preventabilitySnapdeal — E-Commerce, Startup, Strategy layer, Gradual collapse, Medium preventabilitySogo — Department Store Retail, Consumer product, Strategy layer, Gradual collapse, High preventabilitySolyndra — Solar Energy, Technology, Strategy layer, Gradual collapse, Medium preventabilitySony Betamax — Consumer Electronics, Technology, Strategy layer, Gradual collapse, High preventabilitySouth Sea Bubble — Public Finance, Finance, Thesis layer, Sudden collapse, High preventabilitySpoonRocket — Food Delivery, Startup, Environment layer, Rapid collapse, Low preventabilitySprig — Food Delivery, Startup, Strategy layer, Gradual collapse, Medium preventabilityStarbucks' 2007-2008 Overexpansion and Store-Closure Reset — Coffee and Quick-Service Retail, Corporate, Strategy layer, Rapid collapse, High preventabilitySteam Machines — Video Games, Technology, Thesis layer, Gradual collapse, High preventabilitySTX Offshore & Shipbuilding — Shipbuilding, Transportation, Strategy layer, Gradual collapse, High preventabilitySun Microsystems — Enterprise Computing, Technology, Execution layer, Gradual collapse, High preventabilitySuzlon Energy — Wind Energy Equipment, Corporate, Strategy layer, Gradual collapse, High preventabilitySwiber Holdings — Offshore Oil & Gas Services, Transportation, Environment layer, Gradual collapse, Medium preventabilitySwissair — Airlines, Transportation, Strategy layer, Rapid collapse, High preventabilitySydney Opera House — Public Architecture & Construction, Infrastructure, Governance layer, Gradual collapse, Medium preventabilityTacoma Narrows Bridge — Civil and Structural Engineering, Infrastructure, Execution layer, Sudden collapse, High preventabilityTarget Canada — Retail, Corporate, Execution layer, Rapid collapse, High preventabilityTata Nano — Automotive, Transportation, Thesis layer, Gradual collapse, High preventabilityTesco Fresh & Easy — Grocery Retail, Corporate, Thesis layer, Gradual collapse, High preventabilityThe 1964-1965 New York World's Fair — Public Exhibitions & Civic Events, History, Strategy layer, Gradual collapse, High preventabilityThe British Railway Mania — Rail Transport, History, Thesis layer, Gradual collapse, Medium preventabilityThe Chicago Spire — Real Estate Development, Infrastructure, Environment layer, Gradual collapse, Medium preventabilityThe Gateway Mall — Urban Renewal, Infrastructure, Execution layer, Gradual collapse, Medium preventabilityThe Lower Hill District — Urban Renewal, Infrastructure, Strategy layer, Gradual collapse, Medium preventabilityThe Millennium Dome — Public Architecture & Exhibitions, Infrastructure, Strategy layer, Gradual collapse, Medium preventabilityThe Oak Street Connector — Urban Renewal, Infrastructure, Strategy layer, Gradual collapse, Medium preventabilityThe Pei Plan — Urban Renewal, Infrastructure, Strategy layer, Gradual collapse, Medium preventabilityThe Pueblo Center Redevelopment Project — Urban Renewal, Infrastructure, Strategy layer, Gradual collapse, Medium preventabilityThomas Cook — Travel & Tourism, Transportation, Strategy layer, Gradual collapse, Medium preventabilityTongyang Group — Diversified Conglomerate (Cement, Financial Services), Finance, Governance layer, Rapid collapse, High preventabilityToshiba Accounting Scandal — Diversified Electronics & Industrial Conglomerate, Corporate, Governance layer, Gradual collapse, High preventabilityTower Records — Music Retail, Media, Strategy layer, Rapid collapse, High preventabilityToys "R" Us — Retail, Corporate, Strategy layer, Gradual collapse, Medium preventabilityTsinghua Unigroup — Semiconductors, Corporate, Strategy layer, Gradual collapse, High preventabilityTucker Corporation — Automotive, Transportation, Execution layer, Rapid collapse, Medium preventabilityTulip Mania — Financial Speculation, Finance, Thesis layer, Sudden collapse, Medium preventabilityTumblr — Social Media, Technology, Strategy layer, Gradual collapse, Medium preventabilityTurntable.fm — Social Music, Startup, Strategy layer, Gradual collapse, Medium preventabilityTutorspree — Online Tutoring, Startup, Strategy layer, Rapid collapse, High preventabilityTWA (Trans World Airlines) — Airlines, Transportation, Governance layer, Gradual collapse, High preventabilityUnited States Football League — Sports & Entertainment, Media, Strategy layer, Rapid collapse, High preventabilityUS Airways / America West Merger Seniority Integration — Airlines, Transportation, Execution layer, Gradual collapse, Medium preventabilityVerizon go90 — Streaming Video, Media, Strategy layer, Gradual collapse, Medium preventabilityVertu — Consumer Electronics, Consumer product, Thesis layer, Gradual collapse, Medium preventabilityVessel — Streaming Media, Media, Thesis layer, Gradual collapse, Medium preventabilityViddy — Video Sharing (Social Media), Startup, Environment layer, Rapid collapse, Low preventabilityVine — Social Media, Media, Strategy layer, Gradual collapse, Medium preventabilityWalmart Germany — Retail, Corporate, Strategy layer, Gradual collapse, Medium preventabilityWang Laboratories — Computing, Corporate, Strategy layer, Gradual collapse, High preventabilityWashington Mutual (WaMu) — Banking, Finance, Governance layer, Sudden collapse, High preventabilityWashio — On-Demand Laundry, Startup, Thesis layer, Rapid collapse, Medium preventabilityWebTV — Consumer Electronics and Online Services, Technology, Thesis layer, Gradual collapse, Medium preventabilityWebvan — Online Grocery, Startup, Strategy layer, Rapid collapse, High preventabilityWindows Phone — Mobile Operating Systems, Technology, Strategy layer, Gradual collapse, Medium preventabilityWindows Vista — Operating Systems, Technology, Execution layer, Rapid collapse, High preventabilityWorkplace from Meta — Enterprise Collaboration Software, Technology, Strategy layer, Gradual collapse, Medium preventabilityWOW air — Airlines, Transportation, Strategy layer, Rapid collapse, Medium preventabilityX-33 / VentureStar — Aerospace, Technology, Thesis layer, Gradual collapse, Medium preventabilityXerox and the personal computer — Computing, Corporate, Strategy layer, Gradual collapse, High preventabilityYahoo — Internet, Technology, Strategy layer, Gradual collapse, High preventabilityYahoo Screen — Streaming Media, Media, Strategy layer, Gradual collapse, Medium preventabilityYamaichi Securities — Securities Brokerage, Finance, Governance layer, Rapid collapse, High preventabilityYik Yak — Social Media, Startup, Thesis layer, Rapid collapse, Medium preventabilityYobongo — Mobile Social Networking, Startup, Thesis layer, Rapid collapse, Medium preventabilityYugo — Automotive, Transportation, Execution layer, Rapid collapse, High preventabilityZano — Drones, Consumer product, Execution layer, Rapid collapse, High preventabilityZima — Beverages, Consumer product, Strategy layer, Gradual collapse, Medium preventabilityZynga — Social Gaming, Technology, Environment layer, Rapid collapse, Medium preventability
Table view
Case counts by preventability and collapse speed
GradualRapidSudden
High587224
Medium125488
Low11101

Pattern finder

Which causes travel together

Root causes that appear together, ranked. Counts are descriptive, not causal; pairs below 5 are shown but marked thin.

Cause pair (appears with)CasesExamples
Failure to adapt + Stronger competitor17a-and-p, amazon-restaurants, ansett-australia
Failure to adapt + Strategic drift16blockbuster, comet, debenhams
No real demand + Poor execution14color-labs, crystal-pepsi, facebook-home
No real demand + Stronger competitor13airware, app-net, beme
Excessive expansion + Unsustainable economics11air-berlin, bird-scooters, kozmo-com
Bad timing + No real demand9cnn-plus, general-magic, google-health
No real demand + Unsustainable economics8beepi, ello, facebook-m
Strategic drift + Unsustainable economics8american-airlines-bankruptcy, fab-com, house-of-fraser
Debt burden + Failure to adapt7barneys-new-york, daewoo, general-motors-bankruptcy
Information failure + Poor execution7apple-maps, black-bottom-paradise-valley, google-buzz
Poor execution + Strategic drift7duke-nukem-forever, jcpenney, macys-rebranding
External shock + Unsustainable economics6bear-stearns, concorde, excite-at-home

Failure explorer

The archive at a glance

Cases by decade

1490s1
1630s1
1720s2
1790s1
1850s1
1890s1
1930s1
1940s4
1950s2
1960s2
1970s4
1980s15
1990s25
2000s72
2010s175
2020s50

Cases by domain

Technology114
Startup57
Corporate47
Transportation41
Consumer product29
Media28
Finance21
Infrastructure15
History5

Primary failure layer

Strategy155
Thesis71
Execution55
Governance40
Environment36

Most common root causes

Unsustainable economics77
Stronger competitor76
Poor execution76
No real demand66
Failure to adapt58
Strategic drift54
Excessive expansion31
Information failure30

Median lifespan by domain

Corporate444 mo
Infrastructure168 mo
Transportation88 mo
Finance54 mo
Technology53 mo
Consumer product48 mo
Media46 mo
Startup42 mo
History34 mo

Cases in this view

Every case behind the numbers

Pin two to four cases to compare them side by side below.

Showing 1–25 of 357Per page Page 1 of 15
Compare
2013 Singapore Penny Stock CrashFinanceFraud or governance collapseSuddenHigh—
3dfxTechnologyCompany shutdownRapidHigh78
42FloorsStartupFailed strategyRapidHigh36
A-11 Football LeagueMediaFailed launchGradualMedium15
A&P (Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company)CorporateBankruptcyGradualMedium1872
A123 SystemsTechnologyBankruptcyGradualMedium132
AereoMediaCompany shutdownSuddenMedium32
AIG (2008 bailout)FinanceFailed strategyRapidHigh21
Air BerlinTransportationBankruptcyRapidMedium468
Air IndiaTransportationFailed turnaroundGradualMedium828
AirwareTechnologyCompany shutdownSuddenMedium85
Alcatel-LucentTechnologyFailed acquisitionGradualMedium120
AlitaliaTransportationFailed turnaroundGradualMedium900
AltaVistaTechnologyFailed strategyGradualHigh216
Amazon DestinationsConsumer productProduct discontinuationSuddenMedium6
Amazon Fire PhoneTechnologyFailed launchRapidHigh13
Amazon LocalTechnologyMarket withdrawalGradualMedium54
Amazon RestaurantsTechnologyMarket withdrawalGradualMedium45
Amazon SparkTechnologyProduct discontinuationRapidHigh23
AMR Corporation (American Airlines) 2011 BankruptcyTransportationBankruptcyGradualMedium25
Anbang Insurance GroupFinanceFraud or governance collapseRapidHigh—
AnkiConsumer productCompany shutdownSuddenMedium110
Ansett AustraliaTransportationBankruptcyRapidMedium25
AOL–Time WarnerMediaFailed acquisitionRapidMedium96
App.netStartupFailed strategyGradualMedium55
Data coverage & methodology
Published cases
357
With lifespan
331 (93%)
With start + end dates
356 (100%)
With money data
116 (32%)
Median sources / case
4
Median claims / case
6

The Lab reads only published cases. Money data is too sparse for charts and is shown as coverage only. How the data is built and reviewed.