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Square Said to Acquire Team from Struggling Social App Yik Yak

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Re: Square Said to Acquire Team from Struggling Social App Yik Yak

#3
post #2

> The payments processor paid less than $3 million for between five and ten of Yik Yak’s engineers, according to the person. Classic acquihire scenario?

Are they required to work there, what's stopping them from finding a new job?

Re: Square Said to Acquire Team from Struggling Social App Yik Yak

#4
I think the key problem was the hype train and the lack of product-oriented/technical leadership.

remembered them doing very well on campus last two years of college. They had on campus reps to hand out "schwag"; probably not very fun to scale. The obvious bullying was the problem. If they had found some way to solve that and snuck their way back into high schools...

then again, kids can be so cruel.

Re: Square Said to Acquire Team from Struggling Social App Yik Yak

#5
post #2

> The payments processor paid less than $3 million for between five and ten of Yik Yak’s engineers, according to the person. Classic acquihire scenario?

Are they required to work there, what's stopping them from finding a new job?

Golden handcuffs.

Re: Square Said to Acquire Team from Struggling Social App Yik Yak

#6
post #2

> The payments processor paid less than $3 million for between five and ten of Yik Yak’s engineers, according to the person. Classic acquihire scenario?

Are they required to work there, what's stopping them from finding a new job?

Sounds like the CEO isn't. From the article: "Atlanta-based Yik Yak’s Chief Executive Officer Tyler Droll will not join Square"

Re: Square Said to Acquire Team from Struggling Social App Yik Yak

#7
The phrasing makes it seem like Yik Yak itself is not being acquired. Is that a thing that ever happens? I doubt square is interested in their tech anyways.

I've heard that the Atlanta tech scene is dominated by business types rather then techies. It wouldn't surprise me if leadership is selling off most their engineering team and planning to outsource as needed from here on out.

Re: Square Said to Acquire Team from Struggling Social App Yik Yak

#9
post #2

> The payments processor paid less than $3 million for between five and ten of Yik Yak’s engineers, according to the person. Classic acquihire scenario?

Are they required to work there, what's stopping them from finding a new job?

It really depends on the terms of the acquisition. But I'd imagine they'd get paid out over several years.
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