// startup autopsy

SkillSlate

Matching skills to needs — but the marketplace never reached critical mass.

marketfitAcqui-hire

Fatal mistake: Failed to solve the cold-start problem in local services marketplaces with insufficient capital to build geographic density.

Founded	2009
Closed	2011
Country	USA
Sector	Marketplace

50%

Key Events Timeline

2009-01-01

FOUNDING

SkillSlate founded in the USA, targeting the emerging local services marketplace opportunity.

2010-06-01

FUNDING

SkillSlate raises $1.1M to build out its two-sided marketplace platform and expand geographically.

2010-12-01

PRODUCT LAUNCH

Platform launches in select cities but struggles to achieve critical mass of service providers and consumers simultaneously.

2011-09-01

SHUTDOWN

SkillSlate is acquired, ending its independent operation after failing to scale its marketplace with limited capital.

Full Analysis

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Documented cause

SkillSlate was a local services marketplace that connected consumers with skilled professionals. The company raised $1.1M in funding but ultimately struggled with fundamental marketplace dynamics. The core chal...

lenge was balancing supply and demand—a critical issue for two-sided marketplaces where both service providers and consumers must be sufficiently active for the platform to function. Without achieving

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€2M

Peak valuation

HypeCycle · MoatType · ResearchTags

SkillSlate raised €1.1M before failed to solve the cold-start problem in local services marketplaces with insufficient capital to build geographic density. ended it. See the documented cause, verified lesson and all failure signals.

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Key Events Timeline

Documented cause

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