I was laid off by Google, then asked to come back. I gave up a 6-figure salary and unvested stock to bet on my startup.
Rob Waters, a former Google employee, shares his experience of being laid off and subsequently offered a new role, which he ultimately declined to pursue his own AI startup, Kanawai AI. He chose to walk away from a six-figure salary and unvested equity to focus on his entrepreneurial venture in San Francisco.
Why it matters
The story highlights the personal risks and career shifts common in the current tech industry landscape, particularly regarding the volatility of big tech employment versus the allure of the AI startup boom.
Rob Waters moved from Virginia to San Francisco to focus on building his AI startup, Kanawai AI. Rob Waters Rob Waters was laid off from Google, then offered a new six-figure role there. He turned down the offer, walking away from six figures' worth of unvested equity. Waters moved to San Francisco and is living off savings while building his AI startup. This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Rob Waters, a former Google employee who was laid off last November. The 42-year-old cofounded Kanawai AI and lives in San Francisco. The following has been edited for length and clarity. In November 2025, I was on a flight to Los Angeles to meet with a customer when my laptop screen suddenly went black. My laptop rebooted, but when I tried to log back in, it didn't work. Then I felt my personal phone buzz.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in