// startup autopsy

Sprout

Interactive media that couldn't find its audience

marketfitAcqui-hire

Fatal mistake: Sprout failed to differentiate sufficiently from dominant media platforms, leaving it with insufficient scale to survive independently.

Founded	2008
Closed	2012
Country	USA
Sector	Media

50%

Key Events Timeline

2008-01-01

FOUNDING

Sprout founded in the USA as an interactive media content platform.

2008-06-01

FUNDING

Raises $8.3M in its only funding round to build out its media platform.

2011-01-01

PIVOT

Attempts to pivot its product focus to attract new user segments amid slowing growth.

2012-06-01

SHUTDOWN

Sprout is acquired, effectively ending its independent operations.

Full Analysis

Analyst plan

Documented cause

Sprout was founded in 2008 as a Flash-based widget creation platform for brands, labels, and nonprofits, raising $8.3M from Polaris Venture Partners, Global Venture Capital, and Mitch Kapor. As Flash declined, ...

Sprout pivoted in 2010 to HTML5 rich media advertising. According to TechCrunch (August 2, 2011), Sprout was acquired by Indian mobile ad network InMobi for an undisclosed amount. The acquisition init

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€25M

Peak valuation

HypeCycle · MoatType · ResearchTags

Sprout raised €8.3M before sprout failed to differentiate sufficiently from dominant media platforms, leaving it with insufficient scale to survive independently. ended it. See the documented cause, verified lesson and all failure signals.

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