Early warning signs your startup is failing
Ten signals to act on before cash runs out.
1️⃣ Repeat bridge rounds
Funding plugs holes instead of fixing causes. Trust erodes and options shrink.
2️⃣ Missed milestones
Dates slip, scope grows, and no one resets the plan in public.
3️⃣ Falling win rate
More calls, fewer closes. Sales cycles get longer while discounts rise.
4️⃣ Pipeline quality drops
Top of funnel looks busy, qualified deals are thin, next steps are vague.
5️⃣ Unit economics not clear
No shared view of contribution margin, payback, or lifetime value.
6️⃣ Cash runway blind spots
Different answers to the same question. No single source of truth for cash.
7️⃣ Decision delay
Hard choices sit in limbo. Risks are discussed, not removed.
8️⃣ Board misalignment
Mixed signals from owners. Low confidence in the plan and the team.
9️⃣ Leadership energy is low
Key people are drained or defensive. Execution slows.
🔟 No external view
No independent read on risk. The team argues opinions instead of facts.
What to do in the next 48 hours
✅ Get the facts
Confirm cash on hand, weekly burn, payables, receivables, and committed pipeline.
✅ Run the Recovery Odds Index
A 20 minute diagnostic that scores risk across leadership, alignment, plan, cash, and demand. You get your top three blockers and a short action plan.
✅ Reset the room
One hour call with founders, board, and key managers. Align on the facts, the score, and what will change this week.
✅ Set a two week plan
Name the owners, deadlines, and proof of progress for three actions that move the needle now.
✅ Decide on capital rules
When we bridge, when we pause, and what must be true before any new money goes in.