It's gonna be long thread.
I have been working as lead engineer in a early stage startup since last one year.
Founder (20 years exp in Product Management) raised some money from friends & family to start it and but company was running negative from February and he put his money to pay employees salary for March & April and We were hoping for some investment in April but that didn't happen.
During May & June, he was looking for funding more aggressively and even after having a good background in academics & top tech work experience in product management, no investor got convinced to invest in it.
Our salary for March & April was delayed from actual payroll date by 7 days and 21 days respectively and We were expecting our May salary to be delayed by same period and our company was about to complete one year in first week of July so we had some one year benefits associated as well.
But Boom, he invited everyone on call and tells that company will shutting it's operation from next day itself. And he will help us find our new jobs and he doesn't any clarity on pending salary.
Although we knew, our company is not in good shape so salary cut or something might be happening soon but didn't expect this.
Now, we have to find other jobs and also be unemployed while searching for job and also get exploited by other companies because we will be desperate to find jobs to pay our bills.
I think, he did this just before 5-6 days of our one year anniversary just because he doesn't get legally bound to pay our one year benefits.
I for sure, not gonna join any early stage in future who doesn't have enough funding.
Just wanted to put this story out of my mind. Open for any suggestions you have for me
Thank you