These are perfect examples of how misaligned expectations can quietly sink a company. In both cases, the teams actually had something: revenue, interest, real offers. But when the founders anchor on a fantasy outcome, they stop making grounded decisions.

You can survive almost anything in a startup except delusion about what the company is worth. Turning down a realistic exit, or holding out for a number that only exists in your head, creates a slow death spiral: morale drops, talent leaves, and eventually the market decides for you.

Really appreciate you sharing these — they highlight a pattern that happens far more often than people think.