Big-Name Startups Land on Most-Doomed Brands List Some of the companies that are expected to falter next year are headed by entrepreneurs you're very familiar with.

By Jason Fell

Could one of your favorite startup companies cease to exist next year? While the survival rate for startups is obviously challenged, one website thinks some big-name startups are headed for disaster.

Each year, the editors at business website 24/7 Wall St. compile a list of companies they believe could quickly go out of business. This year's list features companies large and small -- some which you may know very well.

  1. Lululemon
  2. DirecTV
  3. Hillshire Brands
  4. Zynga
  5. Alaska Air
  6. Russell Stover
  7. Shutterfly
  8. Time Warner Cable
  9. Blackberry
  10. Aeropostale

Topping the list, as you can see, is Lululemon, the yoga retailor that has fallen victim to a series of missteps. Last year, it was revealed that some of its pants were see-through. Founder Chip Wilson didn't help things when he claimed that "some women's bodies just don't actually work" for the clothing. Wilson later resigned as chairman of the Vancouver, British-Columbia-based company but continues to fight its board for control.

Related: 10 Lessons to Learn From Failing Startups (Including My Own)

In ranking Lululemon the No. 1 company that's likely to disappear in the next 18 months, 24/7 Wall St. also noted heavy competition that the specialty retailer is feeling from larger companies like Gap, which are moving "aggressively" into the yoga pants space. Lululemon also won no PR awards after banning customers who had sold Lululemon products on eBay from buying merchandise online.

Also on 24/7 Wall St.'s list is Zynga, a video-game company that once experienced lightning-fast growth but has sputtered lately, unable to find success post "Farmville." Image-publishing startup Shutterfly also made the list at No. 7.

Among the criteria used to determine this list, 24/7 Wall St. looked at things like declining sales and losses, rising costs that are unlikely to be recouped through higher prices, and withering market share, among other factors.

Related: Is it Time to Give In? How to Know for Sure.

What do you think about the companies on this list? Let us know in the comments below.

Jason Fell

Entrepreneur Staff

VP, Native Content

Jason Fell is the VP of Native Content, managing the Entrepreneur Partner Studio, which creates dynamic and compelling content for our partners. He previously served as Entrepreneur.com's managing editor and as the technology editor prior to that.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Leadership

7 Telltale Signs of a Weak Leader

Whether a bully or a people pleaser who can't tell hard truths, poor leadership takes many forms.

Business Ideas

70 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2025

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2025.

Growing a Business

What Our Digital World Is Missing — and How I Turned It Into $100 Million After Dropping Out of High School

I went from high school dropout to $100 million CEO by sticking to one very important learning principle.

Social Media

With This LinkedIn Algorithm Change, Your Best Posts Could Reach New Readers for Months

It's one of many new features rolling out on the platform in 2024.