Nope. It's totally irresponsible. Given the power of the internet and the ease by which information spreads, the real potential is there. And even then, it makes no difference.
Publicly (or to their face) calling a former employer "sleazy" is very, very unprofessional. It demonstrates poor taste and lack of restraint. And ultimately, self-importance.
"How dare they not recognize that their pathetic company is NOT my dream job? How dare they offer me money to continue to support their petty operation?"
Counter offers are a way for the company to buy time while they find your replacement. Why not pay 2X if it means keeping things running smoothly? It's still a LOT less than the actual impact of your departure on the business.
Counter offers never work out in the long term. Now that you've put in your notice, you're no longer seen as loyal. Therefore, had you accepted (bad idea) they would not have kept you around any longer than absolutely necessary.
Even so, trashing your former employer after they offer you more money, however self-serving, is bad business.
I would not hire somebody if I saw them bad mouthing a former employer. What if they don't like my company? When they leave, they're going blast my business for not recognizing their genius/value/divinity earlier? Not good.
I've been in almost the exact same place before, although I didn't have a community to turn to for advice. Count yourself lucky or blessed, pal. Most of the replies you've received are the kind of advice I wish I would have received at the time - with the same quantity and consistency.
Then again, I wouldn't have listened. I was so certain that I was doing the right thing by "following my passion", when I was actually being a dumbkopf. Don't be like me - don't be a dumbkopf.
1.) A CTO that can't write code in an early stage start-up is not a CTO. Period. We had a UI/UX/UXYZ "expert" that couldn't write a single line of HTML... in an early stage startup? - fail.
2.) Using personal feelings to make business decisions are a red flag. It's funny that in the same paragraph you mention that they couldn't afford new talent. This sounds like a textbook case of somebody being taken advantage of. You are new to this business, they've sold you on their idea but they can't sell the dream to other folks. Doesn't sound good, my friend. Sounds like pimping.
3.) If your leaving means death for the company, then you ARE the company and should own a LOT of the company. Or should be paid market rates. If they can't/won't pay market rates, then you should be a co-founder. And you should own a LOT of the company.
4.) There will always be more opportunities. Being the next Zuck or Google is the same thing as winning the lottery. For the rest of us (back on planet earth), it's hard work and having good business sense. There are no secrets.
Best of luck to you! Keep everyone posted on what you decide.
Publicly (or to their face) calling a former employer "sleazy" is very, very unprofessional. It demonstrates poor taste and lack of restraint. And ultimately, self-importance.
"How dare they not recognize that their pathetic company is NOT my dream job? How dare they offer me money to continue to support their petty operation?"
Are you people even serious in defending this?