The startup path is broken. It never advances past "Launch product".
Thanks for flagging this — really appreciate it, and sorry it looked broken! I dug into the code: it's not stuck, it's a hidden success roll I never surfaced in the UI. Since you took the time to report it, here's the full rundown of how the startup path actually works:
1. Founding
You need to be employed (or between jobs), old enough, and have enough savings to fund a segregated capital pool — that's the only money the startup burns, kept separate from your personal account.
2. Development phase
Every month the startup burns a fixed amount from that pool. If it ever hits zero, the startup freezes and you'll be prompted to recapitalize or wind it down.
3. Pitch to investors
After a few months in Development you can pitch for funding. Odds depend on your charisma (plus a small bonus if you're a graduate). A successful round cancels your burn, dilutes your equity, and starts paying you a salary. A failed pitch costs some stress; you can recapitalize and retry after a cooldown.
4. Launch to market — the step you hit
After 12 months in Development you can attempt to launch. This is a success roll based on your Execution Score (built from intelligence, charisma, work experience, promotions, and education tier). Odds range roughly 20% at the low end up to 75% at the high end. Fail, and you take a stress hit and have to wait another 12 months before trying again. Succeed, and you move into Growth.
5. Growth phase
Once in Growth, every 12 months your valuation has a chance to step up (again tied to Execution Score) — or stagnate for the year.
6. Exit
After at least a year in Growth you can seek acquirers. Another probability roll, tighter odds than launch since a full acquisition is harder to land. A successful exit pays out based on your equity stake, growth years, and Execution Score.
So the "stuck" feeling was almost certainly a couple of unlucky launch rolls in a row with a mid-tier Execution Score — genuinely bad luck, not a wall. I'm adding the odds directly to the button so this is transparent going forward. Thanks again for the report, it's a real gap I'm glad you pointed out.