Definition
A company that's neither thriving nor dying—generating just enough revenue to shuffle forward indefinitely but lacking the growth to succeed or the decency to fail completely. The undead of the startup ecosystem.
Example Usage
Five years after launch, they'd become a zombie startup: 15 employees, $2M ARR, break-even, and absolutely no path to venture returns.
Origin
Term popularized in the 2010s as more startups chose sustainable mediocrity over aggressive growth
Fun Fact
Estimates suggest 30-40% of VC-backed startups become zombies, frustrating investors who'd prefer a clear failure over years of limbo.
Source: Venture capital industry analysis and startup journalism
Related Terms
Translate This Term
See “zombie startup” in Corporate Speak, Gen-Z Slang, Pirate Speak, and more.
Try the Translator