NRI PULSE STAFF REPORT
Atlanta, GA, November 11, 2024: San Francisco-based tech entrepreneur Daksh Gupta, a former Atlanta resident and Georgia Tech graduate, has stirred debate on social media after his recent X post. Gupta, co-founder of the AI startup Greptile, shared that he’s adopted a bluntly honest approach in interviews, telling potential hires that the company operates with minimal work-life balance and high-stress expectations, with typical workdays stretching from 9 a.m. to as late as 11 p.m. or beyond, and occasional work on weekends.
Gupta’s post reads: “Recently I started telling candidates right in the first interview that Greptile offers no work-life balance, typical workdays start at 9 am and end at 11 pm, often later, and we work Saturdays, sometimes also Sundays. I emphasize the environment is high stress, and there is no tolerance for poor work.”
While Gupta admitted feeling uncertain initially, he is now convinced that being upfront helps set candidates’ expectations accurately. His approach, however, received a mixed response from the tech community, with many expressing concerns over the sustainability of such a work culture.
Gupta’s post sparked a flurry of responses from the tech community, with many questioning the sustainability of such a work culture. One commenter pointed out that high turnover could hinder Greptile’s progress if employees burn out and leave frequently. Another warned Gupta that hiring and training new talent requires time, adding, “You are a founder, they have <1% equity.”
Another response emphasized the competitive nature of the tech job market, arguing that Greptile’s demands might deter top talent, particularly with competitive compensation available at industry giants like Google. Other respondents echoed concerns about attrition and burnout, suggesting that a lack of work-life balance might deter candidates seeking a long-term commitment.
In reply, Gupta clarified that the intense workload is temporary, lasting only until the startup reaches a stable growth phase, or “escape velocity.” He also noted that some candidates may view Greptile’s high expectations as a “feature and not a bug,” believing they might attract a subset of workers who thrive under intense pressure.
This conversation highlights the growing discourse in the tech industry around work-life balance, particularly in high-stakes startup environments.
With a year of experience in Silicon Valley, Gupta has shared insights about startup life on the Greptile website, including navigating the venture-capital ecosystem, prioritizing customer needs, and building a durable company culture. Yet, as this latest debate shows, balancing productivity with employee well-being remains a challenge for tech founders, particularly those aiming for rapid growth.
Cover photo courtesy: Daksh Gupta/X
recently i started telling candidates right in the first interview that greptile offers no work-life-balance, typical workdays start at 9am and end at 11pm, often later, and we work saturdays, sometimes also sundays. i emphasize the environment is high stress, and there is no…
— Daksh Gupta (@dakshgup) November 9, 2024
