Seems like a case of raising too much money too soon and getting kicked out by the VCs. But I could be wrong and I am curious to know the founders side of the story.
the founders took money off the table (the ones who left right after the funding round at least) so they're fine
It's not about the money or may be it's just me I want see my products succeed not just work. If the founders left right after the funding round that just doesn't seem right to me, it isn't fair to the VC's either. I guess we'll never know what exactly transpired unless one of the founders speak up.
Sounds like something else may have caused the founders to leave, maybe there was some friction between the top brass?