In my experience the impact of VC money isn't directly seen by engineers but is rather a subtle top down shift in direction. Growth matters more, revenue matters more, existing users matter a bit less versus future users, features that impede this are removed, etc. Feature direction shifts slowly but surely.
The goal of a VC company is to either grow big or die. That's it. Risky bets at the expense of existing users are expected if current growth does not meet expectations. Worst case everyone quits the app and you go bankrupt. VCs expect that 9 time out of 10 so no big deal as long as the 10th makes it big.
The goal of a VC company is to either grow big or die. That's it. Risky bets at the expense of existing users are expected if current growth does not meet expectations. Worst case everyone quits the app and you go bankrupt. VCs expect that 9 time out of 10 so no big deal as long as the 10th makes it big.