Category: Failed

Envel Inc. emerged as an ambitious AI-first challenger bank with automated budgeting envelopes and behavioral finance hooks. It raised community funding, attracted early users, and launched as a Harvard/MIT-backed fintech. However, persistent app issues, funding constraints, and operational cracks led to its technology being sold in June 2023 to BankMobile (BMTX). All Envel banking services…

Vejii Holdings Ltd. is a North American online marketplace for plant-based and sustainable products, founded in 2020 by Kory Zelickson. Headquartered in Kelowna, British Columbia, the company aimed to provide a centralized platform for consumers seeking vegan and eco-friendly products.

Juked.gg started as a passion project by longtime esports insiders tired of scattered, toxic fan discourse. Over the span of three years, it grew from a web beta into a mobile-first platform with thousands of users, crowd funding success, strategic partnerships, and a mission-driven focus. In December 2022, Juked was acquired by The Game Day,…

In mid‑2023, Bayer announced on LinkedIn that Genius Juice had shut down smoothie production, offloading remaining inventory at a discount. This was due to unsustainable costs, supply-chain issues, and heavy cash burn. The brand pivoted to a line of wellness shots, which were more profitable and manageable, though still challenging. A February 2024 LinkedIn update…

Hopsters started as a successful community-funded brew‑your‑own beer concept in Newton, expanded into Boston’s Seaport, raised nearly $2M in crowdfunding, and projected multi‑million-dollar revenues. But the pandemic severely disrupted operations. A Chapter 11 filing in 2020 was quickly converted to liquidate under Chapter 7, and as of mid‑2025 there is no active business under the Hopsters name.

A federal lawsuit was filed in December 2017, but continued into 2025, where Five Below Inc. alleged consumer confusion over the name similarity to its own “Ten Below” brand. The legal action continues as of April 2025.

Stewbum & Stonewall Brewing Co., once a beloved local craft brewery born from a Kickstarter dream, struggled with multi-year permit delays and pandemic impacts. Despite reopening in Honolulu’s Chinatown in 2021, it ultimately closed permanently in August 2022. The space and equipment were put up for sale, and while the brand remains in Darren Garvey’s…

Cleveland Whiskey uses transformative aging and infusion technology to create a line of revolutionary new flavors that push the boundaries of traditional whiskey. Named “Whiskey Distillery Innovator of the Year,” Cleveland Whiskey has won more than 60 medals at competitions around the world including twenty-two gold and double gold awards. Our process allows us to…

In March 2023, the Crooked City Tap House at Jack London Square was sold. The space is now operated by Hesher’s Pizza, but they intend to keep a cider‑centric offering, and continue hosting community events like trivia, pizza nights, and more—carrying on some of the taproom’s original vibe.

Despite initial success, the store closed permanently on December 21, 2023, as local franchisee Klaus Möeller cited a surge in crime, drug activity, encampments, and safety concerns for staff and customers. The business reportedly lost over $200,000 during the pandemic, and unmanageable conditions made continued operation untenable. By early 2024, the storefront was boarded up…