Apeel Sciences interview questions

After applying online, a recruiter reached out to me pretty quickly to get the ball rolling. The process began with a phone interview with the hiring manager, followed by a call with the recruiter to go over salary and benefits. I was then given a presentation assignment. The task required me to create a presentation with my work history, previous projects, and a technical prompt that was assigned by the hiring manager. It took me a Saturday to complete. Despite being a local candidate, I presented virtually to the hiring manager and select members of the team, after which I received positive feedback. I was initially told that I would be moved to the final round (a half-day onsite), but about a month after the presentation, I received an abrupt email from a recruiter telling me they decided to go in another direction and couldn't provide me with any feedback. I was left feeling confused by the process (initially fast and positive, then silence and ultimately a rejection) and like Apeel didn't respect my time. I have completed presentations for interviews in the past, but typically that's saved for the final step of the process when both parties have a little more invested in each other. I'm not sure Apeel realizes what a big ask it is to have all applicants complete a sizable project that early in the process.

Applied online, initial phone interview, other interviewers are right they seems just flirting around with candidates and not serious in hiring, they should have enough people in there so far.