All autopsies

// STARTUP COMPARISON

WeWork IPO failure vs WeWork

WeWork IPO failure failed in 2023 due to Founder Chaos. WeWork failed in 2023 due to Founder Chaos. Both failed for the same reason — Founder Chaos.

METRIC🔥 WeWork IPO failure🔥 WeWork
SectorReal EstateReal Estate
CountryUSAUSA
Founded20102010
Died20232023
Raised$16B$16B
Peak$47B valuation 2019$47B valuation
Primary CauseFounder ChaosFounder Chaos

// WHY EACH FAILED

🔥 WeWork IPO failure
Founder Chaos
Already covered in batch 1.
// LESSON
See primary wework entry.
🔥 WeWork
Founder Chaos
WeWork's 2019 IPO collapsed when its S-1 revealed $1.9B in losses on $1.8B revenue, a 29x valuation-to-revenue multiple, and Adam Neumann's erratic governance — including charging the company $5.9M for the trademark "We". SoftBank lost $14B. WeWork filed Chapter 11 in November 2023.
// LESSON
A real estate company with yoga is still a real estate company. Narrative premium has a ceiling. The market finds it during IPO due diligence.

// EXPLORE FURTHER