Former Helius infrastructure engineer Miles Smith has accused the company's founder, Mert Mumtaz, of corporate misconduct. In a post, Smith claimed Mumtaz engaged in corporate misrepresentation, created a toxic work environment, and attempted to sabotage his career after he left.
Intellectual Property Theft and Workplace Toxicity
Smith described cases of intellectual property theft at the 2023 Solana hackathon, where the Xray team finished second. He also reported Mumtaz claimed Xray as a Helius product and witnessed Mumtaz verbally abusing a Cloudflare sales representative.
Corporate Misrepresentation and Career Sabotage
Smith alleged that the company was masking its technical capability shortfalls using paid services. His relationship with Mumtaz deteriorated, resulting in him being fired via text during his son's baseball game. Smith faced difficulties when investors pulled out after contacting Mumtaz.
Post-Helius Situation and Investments
In 2024, Helius raised $9.5 million in a Series A round, planning to expand its team to 18, including four new engineers. This came after Smith faced challenges securing investments for his startup.
Miles Smith's allegations highlight significant internal issues at Helius, including management conflicts. While the company continues to attract investments, former employees report unethical practices and negative work conditions.
