Emergency pod: Returning guest Peter Walker (Carta's Head of Insights) analyze the controversial Windsurf deal, where Google's acqui-hire left non-founder employees without equity payout. They unpack the deal, reference Character AI's precedent, and explore how AI-era deals increasingly prioritize top researchers over broader employee bases, fundamentally changing startup risk calculations

*Email us your questions or topics for Kelli & Nolan: hrheretics@turpentine.co

For coaching and advising inquire at https://kellidragovich.com/

HR Heretics is a podcast from Turpentine.

Support HR Heretics Sponsors:

Planful empowers teams just like yours to unlock the secrets of successful workforce planning. Use data-driven insights to develop accurate forecasts, close hiring gaps, and adjust talent acquisition plans collaboratively based on costs today and into the future. ✍️ Go to https://planful.com/heretics to see how you can transform your HR strategy.

Metaview is the AI assistant for interviewing. Metaview completely removes the need for recruiters and hiring managers to take notes during interviews—because their AI is designed to take world-class interview notes for you. Team builders at companies like Brex, Hellofresh, and Quora say Metaview has changed the game—see the magic for yourself: https://www.metaview.ai/heretics

KEEP UP WITH PETER, NOLAN + KELLI ON LINKEDIN

Peter: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peterjameswalker/

Nolan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nolan-church/

Kelli: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellidragovich/

—

TIMESTAMPS:

(00:00) Intro

(00:52) Breaking News: The Windsurf Situation

(01:12) The OpenAI-Microsoft IP Rights Drama

(03:01) Plot Twist: Cognition's Counter-Offer

(04:49) The Employee Equity Problem

(06:00) Defending Against "That's How Deals Work" Critics

(08:00) The Scarlet Letter Effect

(10:00) Regulatory Background: The Lina Khan Era

(12:00) Revealed Behavior: What This Shows About Values

(13:25) Sponsors: Planful | Metaview

(17:00) Talent vs. Product Separation

(19:53) The AI Era's R&D Researcher Obsession

(22:00) Unequal Distribution of Outcomes

(23:28) What Comes Next: Evaluating Startup Risk

(24:00) The Founder Psychology Bet

(25:00) Equity Structure Solutions

(28:58) Becoming AI Native: Personal Brand Strategy

(30:56) The New Reality: Expecting Less Care

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hrheretics.substack.com

Unpacking the Windsurf-Google Deal with Carta's Peter Walker

“HR Heretics” | How CPOs, CHROs, Founders, and Boards Build High Performing Companies