See that's what I don't follow. For most companies, when they IPO, they have the cash on hand from going public. The stock price doesn't really matter anymore for day to day running of the company. Sure a lower stock price long term means that they need to up RSU compensation or won't be able to raise money again, but do those really kill a company?

I IPO for 20 million, giving me 18 months of runway. My stock instantly gets shorted a ton, then what? How does that impact me? How does that put someone out of business? If someone thinks that a company is profitable, they can always invest AND that investment is cheaper because of the 'excess' selling of the shorts.

I don't follow how shorts kill companies.