I was hired 4 months back at a startup in an executive role with good stock options and a decent salary. During the interviews I was told the company is currently doing 'X' USD of monthly revenues and has money/run way for the next 12-18 months. I was sold on the opportunity, the business impact, growth potential, designation and the fact that I was referred here by one of my own investors (my startup is now closed) who is also the investor here.
Once I joined the company I found a lot of discrepancies. The numbers reported to me were wrong. Rather than 'X' amount of business they were doing '0.5X'. Also now the cash has started to dry up and my salary has been reduced by about 60% although I have been assured that once next round of funds are raised the deficit will be paid and the salary doubled.
Now the fund raise has started actively. What troubles me most is that the numbers reported to the investors are not just exaggerated, which I know happens, but the factor by which it is done and the casual and matter of fact approach of this all has got me stumped and deeply troubled. They are reporting that we are doing '9X to 10X' business rather than the actual 'X' amount. Does this happen on a regular basis ? Is this unethical or just plain illegal ? Yes the business is in a good sector and there is great room for growth. If it was just a salary cut for even a year I would not have minded but the fact that I am also being asked to lie to new investors as well as previous one who referred me here is what is troubling me deeply for the last 2 months.
I am very sure if the company persists and plays nicely there is huge demand for what we do but this mad rush has got me in serious questions about my future here. Should I leave ? If I leave , the startup may face questions from the investors why the key person has left in such a short while and so on Should I inform my investor who referred me here ? The reason I have been silent till now is 2 fold. One because of my great subordinates who really are good people and I do not want them to get harmed in any negative way if the company is unable to raise funds or if things come to light and the second reason is obviously the generic NDA I have signed. Yes the position is great and the work is actually very rewarding and challenging but these other factors have been affecting me ?
What should I do ? Please offer me your perspective . My since apologies if this was unclear or got too long but I am truly troubled and hence the rant.
Big Thanks
Edit: I was discussing this with one of my close friends and he told me that if I want to quit he can get me a job in the startup where he works for almost double my current salary. My concern is that because that startup is also in the same domain and market/industry, what if we cross paths sometime ? What if one acquires the other or has to collaborate ?
EDIT 2: I am also afraid that I may be labelled a job hopper for leaving so early since the market perception of the company is very nice and I am pretty confident they would be raising their next round of 6-8 million USD very soon. It may end up looking like there was something wrong with me.