It’s not a bad decision for a founder to protect the company above all, it’s their job. However, at the same time - cutting people who took a bet on you should

It’s not a bad decision for a founder to protect the company above all, it’s their job. However, at the same time - cutting people who took a bet on you should be difficult. When you cut 70%, it’ll make future hiring difficult, it’ll make existing employees recognize where they stand (no where). Getting laid off is one of the worst events that can happen to a person, and you really have no way of knowing what the impact on them is. Which is to say, If a founder decided to cut exactly 70% of their staff based solely on an email from YC - I’d be very certain to dissuade anyone in my network from working with them in any capacity.