Sunrise, Sunset

The book of Kohelet (Ecclesiastes) teaches us in Chapter 3, verses 1-2, that ‘A season is set for everything, a time for every experience under heaven; a time for being born, a time for dying, a time for tearing down and a time for building up.’ These verses teach us that though all things end, the cycle of ending always brings forth new beginnings. The very process of ending things makes way for new life, for rejuvenation and regrowth.

UpStart recognizes that one of the best outcomes for new ventures is for them to sunset (cease operations) or become acquired by another organization. UpStart itself is the product of a successful merger that brought together four distinct ventures working to promote Jewish social entrepreneurship.

Not every bold idea needs to exist as a stand-alone organization. Some venture ideas serve as effective intervention: sparking an important conversation, building momentum for change, or shifting norms within their field.

Rather than seeing closures, mergers, or acquisitions as “failures” we see them as part of the continuum of success. Ventures that are acquired or merged often obtain a larger platform for sharing their message. Ventures that sunset can be intentional in making sure that their programs and methods live on in other enterprises. Join us in celebrating the the ventures launched through UpStart that have sunset, merged, or been acquired:

This list is in formation. If your venture graduated from the UpStart Venture Accelerator or one of the pre-merger organizations (Bikkurim, Joshua Venture, PresenTense) and your venture has sunset, merged, or been acquired please let us know by contacting Aliza Mazor alizam@upstartlab.org. Otherwise you should find the venture listed on the Network Page.