Exciting projects and nice perks, but the culture holds it back - Software Developer Cie Employee Review

2.0
10 Apr 2025
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

* Got to work on some genuinely cool and interesting projects * Weekly team lunches and free snacks were a nice touch * A few colleagues were genuinely supportive and great to work with

Cons

* Team culture could be cliquish, with favoritism affecting promotions and raises * Management tended to micromanage and set unrealistic expectations * Hard work and talent didn’t always lead to recognition or advancement * Perks didn’t outweigh the day-to-day challenges with leadership and culture

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Cie Response
1y
Thank you for your feedback! We’re glad you found the work engaging and appreciated the team camaraderie and perks - we believe those details play a big part in creating a positive culture. We’re sorry to hear certain aspects of your experience didn’t align with expectations. Startups can be intense environments by nature and we know that pace and ambiguity can sometimes lead to frustration. That said, we work hard to foster a culture where everyone has a voice and we rely on our team members to speak up when something feels unclear or off-track. Collaboration and openness go both ways, and we’re always more effective when we can address concerns in the moment. This feedback is important and we'll continue to evolve our leadership communication practices. Thank you again for your contributions; all the best in what’s next!

Explore other reviews about Cie

5.0
20 Mar 2023
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Cie is an organization full of talented individuals who are experts in their field. No matter the title, Cie's leaders give you a seat at the table. They encourage you to share ideas and try new things. I've never learned so much under one roof. Challenges days exist at Cie, but boring ones do not. There is no other team that you would want in your corner.

Cons

No cons come to mind.

2.0
14 Dec 2024
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Are they a startup incubator, a content marketing agency, or a venture studio? No one at the company even knows! If you want to work with a bunch of incompetent people give Cie a try! Leadership constantly shifts the company’s priorities, chasing buzzwords and trends rather than fostering a clear and focused strategy. This leaves teams scrambling to hit moving targets, often without proper guidance or resources. There’s little to no long-term planning, which results in projects being abandoned or pivoted at the whim of the execs. Employees are treated like expendable assets, not valued contributors. Promotions and opportunities handed out based on favoritism rather than merit. Meanwhile, truly talented people either burn out or get laid off without performance evaluations.

Cons

No room for any professional growth

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Cie Response
1y
Thank you, your feedback is noted. Cie's mission is to build and grow innovative companies that solve real-world problems. This requires constant adaptation, and our current unique approach - blending startup incubation, venture building, and corporate partnerships - is intentional. It’s embracing change that has allowed us to drive meaningful impact since 1998. That adaptability has led to real results: we created Cie Games, which was acquired by GluMobile for $100M in 2013; we launched Nativo, which patented native advertising and raised $32M in funding; we built ASAP Tire, which was acquired in 2018; and we grew Titan School Solutions, which was acquired by LINQ for $75M. These are just a few examples of how our ability to evolve has fueled success. Clarity and stability are important, and we continuously refine how we operate to balance both. Growth at Cie is based on impact, leadership, and the ability to develop others. We prioritize promoting from within and ensuring our team members have opportunities to contribute in meaningful ways. We’re proud of what we’ve built and remain committed to fostering an environment where driven individuals can thrive.
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