Grew too fast.. - Sr Software Engineer Upstart Employee Review

4.0
Aug 1, 2024
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

There are SO many engineering teams. If you don't like the team you're on, there is ample opportunity to move around and find your right fit :)

Cons

When I joined Upstart, I believe the total employees was somewhere in the 300-500 range. Over the course of 2 years, we IPO'd and saw explosive growth, at one point having over 1500 employees. This ultimately led to a highly degraded code base, super strict promotion/level up criteria, and then 3 separate org. wide layoffs and restructures over the next 1.5 years. Just a lot of mental overhead.. the auto teams really have yet to see a profit and while they continued to say "all is well", all was not well. There's a pretty huge gap between the state of the company as leadership would tell you vs. the actual state of the company.

Explore other reviews about Upstart

5.0
Apr 25, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Good culture highly inclusive and good pace

Cons

Lots of management changes and stock volatility

1
2.0
May 27, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

new system, lots of financial systems learning

Cons

lack culture, team bonding and leadership

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