A “glass cliff” is a metaphor used to describe a situation in which a company or organization appears to be on a trajectory for success, but is actually at a precarious risk of collapse. It’s a term coined by venture capitalist Andrew Chen in his book “The Future of Venture Capital.

Characteristics of a Glass Cliff:

• Apparent success: The company has achieved some level of success, such as high revenue or market share.
• Heroic founder CEO: The company has a strong founder CEO who has led the company to its current position.
• Lack of sustainability: The company’s success is largely due to the founder CEO’s personal efforts, and it does not have the necessary systems or processes to sustain growth.
• Market saturation: The company operates in a competitive market, and its position is vulnerable to competition.
• Financial instability: The company has a high debt burden or other financial challenges.
• Lack of diversity: The company has a homogenous leadership team and lacks diversity of thought.

How Glass Cliffs Can Collapse:

• Founder CEO departure: If the founder CEO leaves the company, it can lead to a decline in performance.
• Competition: New competitors may enter the market and steal market share.
• Economic downturn: A recession or economic crisis can impact the company’s revenue.
• Internal problems: Internal conflicts or disagreements can undermine the company’s ability to compete.
• Financial crisis: The company may face a financial crisis due to its high debt burden or other financial challenges.

Examples of Glass Cliffs:

• A company that has high market share but relies on a single customer for a majority of its revenue.
• A company with a strong brand but lacks the necessary resources to compete with larger competitors.
• A company that has a talented founder CEO but lacks strong financial controls.

Lessons from Glass Cliffs:

• Investors should be cautious when investing in companies that are at a glass cliff.
• Companies need to have robust systems and processes in place to ensure sustainable growth.
• Entrepreneurs should focus on building companies that are resilient to market challenges and internal problems.