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YC

Y Combinator Cast

05/31/24

@ Y Combinator

Many startups fail not because their architecture isn't scalable, but because they struggle to attract users and create products that people actually want.

Video

YC

Startup Experts Discuss Doing Things That Don't Scale

@ Y Combinator

Startup Experts Discuss Doing Things That Don't Scale

05/31/24

Related Takeaways

GT

Garry Tan

05/21/25

@ Vanta

The primary reason startups fail is that they don't create something people want, either by making the wrong product or failing to make anything at all.

SA

Sam Altman

05/06/15

@ Platzi Team

Most startups fail to create something that users truly love; they often settle for products that users merely like.

JL

Jessica Livingston

10/25/13

@ Y Combinator

The biggest cause of startup failure is not creating something that people want, which often leads to founders losing momentum and focus on their original vision.

DC

Dalton Caldwell

04/18/24

@ Lenny's Podcast

The most common reason startups fail is that founders don't talk to customers and fail to find product-market fit.

MS

Michael Skok

03/25/23

@ Harvard Innovation Labs

The number one reason startups fail is that they are not creating value for anyone who cares about it.

YC

Y Combinator Cast

02/17/22

@ Y Combinator

The lesson from startups is to focus on creating something people want first, even if it involves non-scalable methods. Once you have demand, you can then work on scaling solutions.

SA

Sam Altman

05/06/15

@ Platzi Team

Startups need to build a product that users love, focusing on a few passionate users rather than a large number of indifferent ones.

GF

Gregg Favalora

06/12/13

@ Harvard Innovation Labs

Many startups fail because they don't adequately map out the flow of money in their target market, which is essential for securing funding and sustaining operations.

EG

Elad Gil

10/18/18

@ Y Combinator

Startups often fail because they pursue markets that have been tried many times before without understanding why they failed previously.