Evaluating only Stringwire’s profile at its peak — without knowing the outcome — the model ranked Acquisition gone wrong as the #1 likely cause. Documented cause: Competition.
Key Events Timeline
FOUNDING
Reid Gilman founds Stringwire in Houston, TX, targeting broadcasters with live mobile news video streaming.
PRODUCT LAUNCH
Stringwire signs pilot partnerships with US local TV stations; journalists use app for breaking news coverage.
PIVOT
Periscope and Meerkat launch at SXSW 2015, commoditizing mobile live video and undercutting Stringwire's value proposition.
SHUTDOWN
Stringwire shuts down after failing to raise Series A; team disperses; no acquisition announced.
Full Analysis
Free · no account needed
Documented cause
Stringwire was a Houston-based live news video platform that let journalists and citizen reporters livestream breaking news directly to media organizations. Despite early partnerships with local TV stations, the company failed to secure sustainable revenue contracts. Competing with free tools like YouTube Live and eventually Periscope, Stringwire could not differentiate its B2B news workflow proposition and shut down quietly in 2015 after failing to raise a Series A.
Lesson
“B2B video tools must embed deeply in enterprise workflows before consumer apps commoditize the core feature.”