Directionless, failing startup - Software Engineer ZEDEDA Employee Review

1.0
May 3, 2021
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Pay is good enough (about average compared to other options)

Cons

Jeez, looking at such a flood of obviously biased and overly positive reviews makes me very concerned that new hires are going to have a wrong impression of the reality of working at Zededa. From my experience, it is clear to me that Zededa isn't going to change the world with their average products/services, but that's OK. It's fun to work on edge computing, and you'll be set up well for your next job wherever it is. And I don't have a lot of complaints about coworkers, except the usual office politics/backstabbing on occasion. It's clear the management has their favorites and if you are coming in as an outsider you will never break the glass ceiling to get into their "inner circle". In general, the management is drinking too much of their own "kool-aid". Like I alluded to earlier, the product is mediocre but that's why we targeted the customers we did..manufacturing, energy, and such customers are too clueless to realize how far behind the Zededa offering is compared to alternatives. But that's fine, it's just good business to go after the low hanging fruit..even if it is really low.. I would comment on the GTM plan but I don't think Zededa has ever had one. They take what they can get (applies to customers, partners, and investors...don't even get me started on the total flops they found for investors). Some of the companies they claim are partners are actually competitors, others I'm pretty sure have no idea what edge computing even means. It really builds into the fact that Zededa management have no idea how to build a lasting software company. For example, all of the time wasted on this recent partnership with Rancher/SUSE feels like just a ploy to get acquired by SUSE or Red Hat, it is worthless at moving the needle to grow the company in any meaningful way. But I can't fault them either, this company has been around for 5+ years now and doesn't have much to show for it compared to other 5+ year startups, I'm sure investors have expectations that need to be met. And I'll bet they are getting tired of hearing the "edge computing is still in infancy" excuse. Anyways, if you are interested in a hot space like edge computing, Zededa is certainly an option to cut your teeth for a little while..but don't expect much else, in my opinion the company isn't going anywhere. The only saving grace is that it appears the best edge computing companies already got acquired, so maybe Zededa has a chance to pick up some scraps and survive as a more "casual" company.

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ZEDEDA Response
5y
Dear Reviewer, Thank you for your time to review ZEDEDA. While we wish your experiences were better, it is important for us to know your honest opinion, even when it stings. We want to learn and improve. As a start-up, we recently completed the 0-1 journey going from idea to market validation. Good news is, we have amazing product-market fit and rock solid Fortune 500 customers who love what we built and are expanding and telling their friends. Bad news is we grew so fast, and pushed so hard that we missed focusing on our team and building some of the fundamentals like a solid go-to-market plan for the next chapter. But, we have recognized this and as such made several bold new hires including bringing in a new Chief Operating Officer to lead the strategy and execution for the Company, and Vice President of Engineering to help bring structure and formality to our R&D. We believe their deep experiences and past successes will help us round out our leadership. We can only ask that you please give our new leaders an earnest opportunity to help us make for a better ZEDEDA. Together is the only way we will create the next amazing technology company.

Explore other reviews about ZEDEDA

5.0
May 19, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Good benefits and team spirit

Cons

Lots of changes in a fast paced environment

1.0
Nov 22, 2025
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

None that I can think of

Cons

Horrible leadership team Mismanaged company Churning customers consistently

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