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OpenAI’s Windsurf deal is off, and Windsurf’s CEO is going to Google

(www.theverge.com)
745 points rcchen | 5 comments | 11 Jul 25 21:35 UTC | HN request time: 0.654s | source
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metadat ◴[11 Jul 25 21:58 UTC] No.44537176[source]▶
It's another Character.ai situation [0]. Unfortunate for any employees who aren't founders or researchers, as they don't get any payout or a nice new job from this exit structure. In fact they lose their whole time invested at the company.

What a harsh time to work for an AI startup as a rank and file employee! I wonder how the founders justify going along with it inside their mind.

[0] Character.ai CEO Noam Shazeer Returns to Google https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=41141112 - 11 months ago (87 comments)

Edit: Thank you @jonny_eh for the clarification. I can't imagine it feels awesome being a leftover but at least you vested out. "Take the money and leave" is still a bit raw when the founders and researchers are now getting the initial payout + generous Google RSU's.

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1. takklz ◴[11 Jul 25 22:11 UTC] No.44537275[source]▶
The rank and file equity pitch is quickly falling apart…
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2. bix6 ◴[11 Jul 25 22:17 UTC] No.44537313[source]▶
Always has been
3. bravetraveler ◴[11 Jul 25 22:28 UTC] No.44537406[source]▶
Think it started that way... I'm currently in a vesting/allocation situation where the incentive is to drive the share price down.
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4. takklz ◴[11 Jul 25 22:40 UTC] No.44537502[source]▶
Geeeeeze
5. silenced_trope ◴[12 Jul 25 05:54 UTC] No.44539670[source]▶
This.

Character.ai reached out to me for an opportunity, but they've already been carved up.

I think it's great that the rank and file got some of their equity cash-out (based on the other comment), but I imagine it isn't an attractive prospect as a start-up to join at this point.

I just ignored the recruiter. I can't imagine their would be a second liquidity event.