"That doesn't make you more likely to fail though"
Actually, it does. They want you to fail quickly so they can (in)validate your initial business plan. But business plans for start ups that don't fail quickly often evolve through one or more pivots.
It dramatically changes how you run a business when people who invest in your startup treat it like an ICO (initial coin offering)-"if my 1,000,000 shares today is worth a cent imagine when I find another dumbass to buy it for a few dollars in a few quarters and I sell half to cover my initial investment and let it run I'll be rich".
You aren't in the business of solving problems and making money anymore but how to inflate share price as quickly as possible by focusing on KPI that will get other suckers wet.
Actually, it does. They want you to fail quickly so they can (in)validate your initial business plan. But business plans for start ups that don't fail quickly often evolve through one or more pivots.
For example, see slack and twitter.