Startup Cemetery
A big resource for entrepreneurs and startup owners, in which we have collected and analyzed why +100 big companies have failed. Learn from mistakes, and avoid being part of the 90% of businesses that fail.
GetBusy
GetBusy keeps team communication organized, trackable and accountable.
NerdPilots
Get fast, reliable web, mobile and software development help 24/7.
GrowthMentor
Get 1-on-1 advice from vetted growth experts about your business.
Morning Brew
Free daily email that gives a quick 5-minute rundown of the the day's top business news.
Rafter
Textbook and course material provider for schools
Rafter was a textbook and course material provider for schools and colleges. The company, previously known as BookRenter, initially focused only on providing textbooks to educational institutions but decided to completely change strategy to gain an upper hand on its competitors. The company rebranded as Rafter and started providing cloud-based course material. Rafter worked with small to medium colleges in particular, which found the bulk deals they were able to get hold of with Rafter advantageous. In this way, colleges were able to lower the prices of campus store books thus encouraging students to buy course material from the university instead of off-campus sites. Rafter also allowed instructors to find, sample and manage course material and provided digital books, audio, and video media as well as codes to access various online courses platforms.
Rafter had much competition from the start and it had to deal with both logistical, financial and market challenges from the onset. For starters, it was hard to convince large institutions to buy from the company as a single-source network of providing texts and notes. Also, not all students were pleased with Rafter’s model as they thought they could get textbooks for more affordable prices on their own and they didn’t appreciate the fact that the company required them to return the books at the end of the term.
However, the most crucial challenge for the company was the evolution of technology and its widespread adoption and inclusion into universities. Colleges could now directly deal online with the publisher so the need to have a middle agent such as Rafter became minimal. Rafter announced its shut down in 2016. The digital assets of Rafter, including its Rafter360 solutions, were successively bought by eCampus in 2017.
Go on Reading
Kiko
Ajax-style online calendar application
Springpad
Allowed users organize projects, ideas and to-do’s
Selltag
Platform for people to sell and buy items
Zirtual
Dedicated virtual assistants for busy professionals
Utrip
AI-powered travel planning services
OpTier
Cloud-based enterprise software business
GetBusy
GetBusy keeps team communication organized, trackable and accountable.
NerdPilots
Get fast, reliable web, mobile and software development help 24/7.
GrowthMentor
Get 1-on-1 advice from vetted growth experts about your business.
Bookafy
Provide your clients and staff with a beautiful appointment booking experience.
HostGator
Easy and affordable web hosting and domain services for entrepreneurs.
