Most startups don’t fail due to lack of product-market fit or competition, they slow down because they ignore finance until it becomes a problem. In our work with dozens of early and growth-stage startups across sectors, we’ve seen patterns repeat. This post is a practical breakdown of 5 common financial blind spots , with real-life inspired examples, founder pain points, and what to do before it’s too late. 1. The "Revenue = Success" Mirage The Trap Founders obsess over GMV