5. Juniper Networks: The Router Innovator
Juniper Networks rose to prominence during the dot-com boom with its high-speed M40 Internet Backbone Router. The product was significantly faster than competitors' offerings, including those from industry leader Cisco. Juniper's initial public offering in 1999 brought a staggering 2500x return for investors.
While Juniper survived the dot-com crash, it struggled to maintain its competitive edge. The company faced delays in product launches and quality issues, allowing competitors to erode its market share. Although Juniper continues to operate today, its stock price has never returned to its former heights.