A Cat Instead of a Mansion: When It's Time to Admit a Startup's Failure

The author shares his personal experience of running a tech startup for seven years. Despite raising $1.35 million in funding and reaching 300,000 users, the company spent years in survival mode, with only two months of runway remaining at any given time. In his new book, 'How to Bury a Unicorn: The Story of a Zombie Startup in Silicon Valley,' the entrepreneur candidly discusses the psychological and financial struggles founders face when a business becomes a 'zombie.' This article features one of the book's most difficult chapters, focusing on the moment one must decide to shut down a project. The author emphasizes that sometimes admitting defeat and letting go of a stagnant venture is a more critical step than endless attempts to stay afloat, which can lead to the loss of personal well-being and family.