Why Do Web Startups Die? Lack of Alphalpha
http://www.digital-web.com/articles/why_do_web_startups_die/

Goldenberg, Dave
Digital Web Magazine
2008

Abstract:

Internet startups are generally as successful as a nerd in a singles bar. Ventures that get off the ground rarely get knee-high. Why? You don’t need a deckful of scatter charts to do this, but you do need the willingness to make some difficult decisions now—and stick to them later.The biggest problem I’ve seen isn’t lack of talent, enthusiasm or even funding. It lies in skipping a critical early stage of development I call the “alpha-alpha” stage, or “alphalpha” for short.