Daksh Gupta Defends Grueling Work Hours at Greptile
Daksh Gupta, the 23-year-old CEO of AI startup Greptile, has sparked controversy with his defense of the company's demanding work culture. In a recent interview, Gupta compared Greptile's intense work schedule to a "rocket launch," arguing that hard work is essential for success in the competitive tech industry.
Gupta's comments come after a viral post on X (formerly Twitter) where he described Greptile's workdays as running from 9 am to 11 pm, six days a week, with occasional Sunday work. The post drew criticism for glorifying overwork and promoting an unsustainable work environment.
In the interview, Gupta acknowledged that such intense work environments are not for everyone, but he defended Greptile's approach as a temporary necessity during its early growth phase. He compared it to a "rocket launch," where extraordinary effort is needed to achieve escape velocity.
Gupta also addressed the backlash he received, stating that while he has received death threats, his inbox has also been flooded with job applications. He attributed his work ethos to the startup culture of San Francisco, not his Indian heritage.
Gupta's stance on work-life balance has drawn mixed reactions. Some praise his transparency and commitment to hard work, while others warn of potential harm to employee mental health and productivity. Critics also question whether such a model can attract diverse talent in the long term.
The debate surrounding Greptile's work culture highlights the ongoing discussion about the sustainability of extreme startup environments and the importance of finding a balance between hard work and employee well-being.