Warning to all crowdfunders – You will likely lose everything like I did
I invested in OhmniLabs through a SAFE on Republic, trusting in the company’s mission and the promise of potential equity upside. Years later, the company was acquired by Symbotic – a successful exit by any standard – yet we, the early supporters, received absolutely nothing. No profits, no buyout, not even symbolic recognition. Just an email saying that "there were no proceeds left after debt was paid" and that our shares are now "worthless". The SAFE was converted into common stock as a legal formality, but these shares hold no financial value, and the company will be liquidated after 18–24 months with no expectation of any return. This wasn’t bad luck – this is a recurring tactic among startups: raise capital from small retail investors, then structure future deals to reward insiders and debt-holding executives, while wiping out the public. This is not just mismanagement – it’s structural abuse of crowdfunders. If you're considering investing via Republic or into a startup like OhmniLabs, know this: 👉 You carry all the risk 👉 You have no control 👉 And when the company “succeeds”, you will likely be left with nothing I am sharing this experience on additional investor forums, media outlets, and review platforms to help protect others from falling into the same trap.