💀Death of a Startup💀

Advice for all founders

Feb 13, 2025

I primarily coach early stage startup founders, and I equally love supporting them as they ramp up OR wind down their companies.

Whether you’re at the beginning or end of your startup journey, there’s something for you in this video.

I share real stories and quotes from my own client work and the months of research Seb Agertoft and I did with founders, investors, and others around the topic of startup wind downs. About a third of startups that raise a Series A don’t make it — this is a common experience, so let’s normalize it and make it less lonely.

I also offer 2 practical tools: one that I recommend utilizing as early as possible in the life of your startup and one that can support you if you’re nearing or amidst the end.

📝 Practices 📝

I. Consider your legacy

At any point — although sooner is better — ask these questions about yourself and your company:

How do I want to be remembered?
What would I regret not having done?
When do I want to lead with my head? My heart? Why?
What brings me pure joy? Who would I most like to co-create or share that transcendence with?
What would I consider a failure? What lessons am I afraid to learn? What experiences might be my greatest teacher?
What will I need to get through my toughest challenges? What supports my courage, vulnerability, and self compassion?
What generous, supportive relationships do I need? Which toxic, disappointing, or hurtful relationships do I need to address?
What great advice have I already received that I want to remember as I continue on? What have been my most valuable sources of information and inspiration?
Which of my traditions or rituals do I hope will continue on after I'm done or gone?
What would make me proud of myself at the end of this journey?

You can even write an epitaph for yourself and/or the company. 4 lines of max. 15 characters with a focus on values not achievements.