Concept · Startup & Growth Frameworks
Escape Velocity
Origin: Geoffrey Moore (2011)
Biological Parallel
Escape velocity is the speed needed to break free from gravitational pull. For seedlings under forest canopy, escape velocity is the minimum growth rate needed to reach sunlight before shade-tolerant competitors outcompete you. Shade-avoiding species like birch and aspen grow 3-6 feet annually—enough to escape the understory in 2-3 years. Slower growers get trapped in permanent shade and die. Similarly, startups need sufficient growth velocity to escape competitive gravity and market constraints before capital runs out. Speed isn't vanity—it's the difference between reaching light and dying in shadow.