Entrepreneur Stories
Products Which Crashed And Burned!
While most of us remember Neil Armstrong, the first man on the Moon, not a lot of people remember the second man. As a society made up of people who worship winners, be it with inventions or discoveries, we always celebrate the people who come in first. Despite remembering the first man who invented the telephone, or the man who discovered electricity, we seem to conveniently forget the people who failed with their products. To make your weekend entertainingly educative, we give you a list of inventions which failed to take off the right way!
1. Radioactive health products
Back in the day, when Radium was first discovered, the side effects weren’t as widely known as they are today. This particular element was considered to be a magic drug, a miracle of sorts. From healthcare products to medicines, everything was made better with Radium. In fact, drug companies went so far as to say that Radium would increase even your libido! People first started questioning this “Super Medicine” when a man used the Thor Radium powder to increase his sexual prowess. He ended up drinking not one, not two, but 1,400 bottles of the stuff. What was the drastic side effect, you ask? His jaw falling off! This was when people realised the radioactive stuff was actually more dangerous than positive for you! Oops.
2. Portable record players
Back when radio players were the deal of the century, a lot of companies tried making them portable. Which means they tried producing record players which could be used on the go. If you have ever used a record player, then you have probably already guessed the problem! Record players are fragile. You have to make sure they are kept at a steady level and not in a position where they can be knocked over. Despite record players being on a rise again, this invention is probably never going to see the light of the day. Boo.
3. Scent enhanced movies
Hans Laube, the inventor of Smell O Vision, wanted to create a new method which let theatre goers experience interesting smells while watching a movie. When it was launched in the New York, Chicago and Los Angles cinema halls in the year 1960, Laube thought this method would be used worldwide. However, it wasn’t meant to be. The scent was accompanied by a strange and ominous hissing sound as well. Furthermore, a lot of people complained saying the movie sounds and the smells were completely out of sync. Along with a similar innovation called AromaRama, Smell O Vision was swiftly abandoned and consigned to the scrap heap of history.
4. Car boats/boat cars
Boat cars, where first invented back in the 1770’s and where widely used during the Second World War. However, soon after the war ended, they were set aside for recreation. The car boats are now primarily used for water sports and as collector’s items!
5. Palm pilots
Palm pilots were the first gadgets which actually fitted in the palm of our hands. When they initially came out, they sold a million pieces in the formative year. Therefore, one would think to call this particular invention a failure, would not be fair. However, when Microsoft rescued Apple with a $ 150 million investment, the iPods and iPhones of the world took over, making the palm pilots obsolete!
With every great invention being recognised and revisited, we thought it was only fair the not so greats were remembered with respect as well! if you happen to remember who the second man on the Moon was, or who the first or second Indian cosmonaut was, then comment and let us know!
A decade ago, the success of a startup was measured largely by its ability to raise capital. Today, a different metric is gaining importance: the ability to generate meaningful exits for investors. Large stake sales by early backers are becoming increasingly common, not because growth opportunities have disappeared, but because India’s startup ecosystem is entering a more mature phase where capital is expected to complete its full cycle from investment to returns.
This evolution is particularly significant for consumer brands that have successfully blended technology, retail, and strong brand-building. Companies that were once viewed as high-risk startup bets are now attracting institutional investors capable of absorbing large transactions. Such developments indicate that these businesses are no longer being valued solely on future potential; they are increasingly being assessed on operational performance, market leadership, and long-term profitability. In many ways, investor exits are becoming a validation of a company’s ability to create lasting enterprise value.
The broader implication extends beyond a single company or investor. Successful exits encourage more global capital to enter India’s startup ecosystem because they demonstrate that liquidity opportunities exist at scale. As more venture-backed companies approach public listings, secondary transactions, or strategic investments, the focus of founders and investors alike may shift from chasing headline valuations to building durable businesses. The next chapter of India’s startup journey will likely be defined not just by the creation of unicorns, but by the creation of companies capable of delivering sustained returns to all stakeholders.
Apple has unveiled the new MacBook Air with M5 chip, starting at $999 for 13-inch and $1,299 for 15-inch models. The MacBook Air M5 boasts a 2nm M5 chip with 12-core CPU, 18-core GPU, and 50 TOPS Neural Engine for seamless AI tasks like real-time translation and 8K editing. Up to 22 hours of battery life, Thunderbolt 5, and Wi-Fi 7 make it the ultimate ultraportable, now 10% thinner at 0.44 inches with fanless cooling.
Key MacBook Air M5 features include Liquid Retina XDR display (500 nits, nano-texture option), 12MP Center Stage camera, and six-speaker Spatial Audio. Colors like new Sky Blue join Midnight and Starlight. Pre-orders are live today, with macOS Sequoia 15.4 enhancing Apple Intelligence and iPhone Continuity for students, pros, and remote workers.
Why buy MacBook Air M5 now? It outpaces Snapdragon X Elite rivals with ecosystem magic and future-proof performance, eyeing top 2026 laptop sales. CEO Tim Cook calls it “more capable than ever.” Visit apple.com for M5 MacBook deals and specs.
Delhi NCR-based gaming startup Zupee has acquired Mumbai-based microdrama platform Vertical TV in a deal valued under INR 40 Cr. This move strengthens Zupee Studio, its short-video arm launched in September 2025, by integrating Vertical TV’s expertise in bite-sized dramas like romance and thrillers.
Facing challenges from India’s 2025 real-money gaming ban, Zupee valued at $1 Bn after raising $120 Mn has pivoted to non-gaming content, including recent layoffs of 40% of its workforce. The acquisition builds on its November 2025 purchase of Australian AI firm Nucanon for interactive storytelling, targeting its 200 Mn+ users with engaging, mobile-first formats.
This deal underscores the rising microdrama trend in India, helping Zupee diversify amid regulatory pressures and compete in the short-video space dominated by quick, shareable content for on-the-go audiences.
What Investor Exits Reveal About the New Age of Indian Startups
Healthy Snacking Is Emerging as India’s Next Consumer Growth Story
Keithjeant
April 18, 2026 at 4:22 pm
The CBD store – cbd gummies near to me offers a medley of formats that please exceptional preferences, and each one feels well executed. The lubricant appears unsoiled and in conformance, the packaging materials feel sturdy, and the design is unostentatious yet elegant. The products are easy to stock and fraternize with, thanks to obvious lids and aphoristic sizing. Overall, the maker delivers a proficient and carefully crafted experience without unnecessary extras.
Jameskip
May 4, 2026 at 8:12 pm
The scent of this terpene commingling – melonade strain is really unclutter and fundamental, not too concentrated but mollify clear-cut in the most way. It blends smoothly and adds a much bettor flavor profile without compelling everything else. Equanimous a close amount makes a contradistinction, which says a loads about the quality. The packaging was solid, shipping was fast, and the sound adventure felt reliable. Really decent produce and everyone I’d joyfully uncalled-for again.
Eddiecef
May 6, 2026 at 5:59 pm
I’ve been exploring https://terpenewarehouse.com/products/animal-cookies-terpenes recently, and I’m really enjoying the experience. The scents are rich, real, and pleasant. They tot up a discriminative caress to my constantly programmed, plateful fasten on the atmosphere and atmosphere. A brobdingnagian find quest of anyone who appreciates savoury wellness tools.