Rob Waters turned down Google's six-figure job offer to build Kanawai AI
After Google laid him off in November 2025, Rob Waters declined a new six-figure role and estimated six figures in unvested stock to build Kanawai AI.
By RuntimeWire Staff · Published
Primary source: Business Insider
Why it matters
Waters traded a renewed Google salary and an estimated six figures in unvested stock for a company aimed at enterprise AI governance. Kanawai says he engineered secure AI solutions and infrastructure for highly regulated U.S. military environments, while co-founder Nicolle Cumberland is the founder described as having sold cybersecurity and AI solutions supporting Foreign Military Sales. The company has yet to attach public customer or revenue figures to its early onboarding claims.
After Google laid him off in November 2025, Rob Waters declined a new six-figure role and estimated six figures in unvested stock to build Kanawai AI.
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