The problem is where to even begin.
Product: The product embodies a complete lack of clarity in what it is meant to be. Multiple product redesigns. No sense of ever reaching a target, only ever-moving goalposts. Decisions do not seem to be well-informed. The MVP contains more features than some full products have without even a single user.
Compensation: Since a large portion of compensation is tied to launch dates and stocks, delay after delay meant that it's unlikely you will ever see the potential value of these promises. At this point, it feels like a cruel game of dangling a carrot in front of you. Letters were sent out to employees to reduce their potential bonus that was previously offered on joining without any real reason. Delay after delay makes it feel like the time spent here has been a lie from day one. It's a slow game of who will break next.
Financials: The financial situation of the company is shrouded in mystery, no one knows how much money and runway actually exists. No one knows if the company will survive a launch, or ever if it will launch someday. Doubts are spreading around the office due to sudden delays or removal of financial incentives (mobility budget, salary changes from performance reviews, stock vesting, Christmas hampers). Stocks that were meant to vest months ago still have not vested with any documentation or legal agreements.
Accountability: An arrogant CEO who just rambles in any company-wide meetings who seems to believe his own nonsense. There was an incident where some top-level directors disagreed with the CEO, which resulted in the same people being no longer being associated with Aaqua shortly afterwards. Recently the engineering team found out that the CEO has been blaming them behind their backs for every company shortcoming, which was the first time some real direction was provided from upper management.
Communication: There is no accountability. No KPIs. No OKRs. No tangible metrics. Numbers are picked out of the air (read: millions of users by the end of ) with no real product to base it on, then a delay happens. Only positive news is communicated internally, never negative. You'll find out about key directors leaving the company only by adding them on LinkedIn. Company-wide meetings are a mess where nothing is effectively communicated, and no clear answers to questions are given. Not even slides are generally prepared, it's just rambling. It feels like a very clear "us" versus "them" divide that is entirely due to unprofessional communication. Asking standard questions about the company and its future to high-level people is generally met by stonewalling until the problem (you) stops seeking an answer.
Leadership: I have never seen a leadership turnover like this in any other company before. Directors and high-level management coming and going without any communication about what is actually happening. To anyone who stays, there is very much a "stay in your lane" attitude if you try to enact any change. There have been instances of workplace bullying.
Growth: There is no path of employee growth. Employees have quit due to extreme burn out. However, trying to hire as many people as possible in a year seems to be some sick game that management enjoys to play. Growth pains are extreme. The blind are leading the blind. Even though the first ever performance reviews happened early in 2022, the outcome of it was that no one is eligible for role or salary changes until later in the year, which will inevitably be delayed when the times comes around again. The general consensus is that performance reviews do not exist here.
If you're considering a job here, be sure you're okay with potentially being unemployed soon.
