Despite 25 years of influence and millions of book sales, the core methods championed by startup gurus like Steve Blank and Eric Ries have failed to improve U.S. startup survival rates. Government data shows no significant progress in companies lasting beyond one year, two years, or even a decade since the rise of New Punditry. This zero systematic progress persists across all sectors, including VC-backed firms where subsequent funding rounds indicate failure.

The official government data on survival rates reveals a stubborn reality: the promised scientific approach to reducing startup death has yielded no measurable results.