// startup autopsy
QMCODES
Scanned too early for a world not yet ready to scan.
timingSlow Death
Years-long decline before final shutdown · Fatal mistake: QMCODES entered the QR code market well before Australian smartphone penetration made the technology viable for mainstream advertising campaigns.
Key Events Timeline
FOUNDING
QMCODES founded in Australia to capitalize on the emerging QR code and mobile media opportunity.
FUNDING
Secured $0.3M in seed funding to develop its QR code media platform and grow its advertiser client base.
PRODUCT LAUNCH
Launched QR-based advertising campaigns with Australian brands, but adoption rates remained low due to limited smartphone penetration.
PIVOT
Attempted to pivot toward mobile marketing services to broaden revenue streams, but lacked capital to execute the pivot effectively.
SHUTDOWN
QMCODES shut down after failing to achieve commercial viability; the QR code market in Australia only took off years later.