An Indian techie, Soham Parekh, is on the centre of a moonlighting storm after US-based AI founder Suhail Doshi accused him of “scamming individuals” by working at a number of startups concurrently. The controversy has triggered a heated debate on-line, with many calling out double requirements within the startup world.
In a extensively shared publish on X, Doshi — co-founder and ex-CEO of Mixpanel, and founding father of Playground AI, wrote, “PSA: there’s a man named Soham Parekh (in India) who works at 3-4 startups on the similar time. He’s been preying on YC firms and extra. Beware. I fired this man in his first week and instructed him to cease mendacity/scamming individuals. He hasn’t stopped a yr later. No extra excuses.”
PSA: there’s a man named Soham Parekh (in India) who works at 3-4 startups on the similar time. He’s been preying on YC firms and extra. Beware.
I fired this man in his first week and instructed him to cease mendacity / scamming individuals. He hasn’t stopped a yr later. No extra excuses.
— Suhail (@Suhail) July 2, 2025
Doshi additionally shared Parekh’s resume, which lists expertise at Dynamo AI, Union AI, Synthesia and Alan AI in tech roles. The CV mentions his academic background — a bachelor’s from College of Mumbai and a grasp’s from Georgia Tech.
Nonetheless, Doshi claimed most of it’s fabricated: “In all probability 90 per cent faux and most hyperlinks are gone.”
In all probability 90% faux and most hyperlinks are gone. pic.twitter.com/h9bnLc8Cwj
— Suhail (@Suhail) July 2, 2025
He additional mentioned he tried to purpose with Parekh, “I wish to additionally say that I attempted to speak sense into this man, clarify the affect, and provides him an opportunity to show a brand new leaf as a result of typically that’s what an individual wants. However it clearly didn’t work.”
Netizens calls out hypocrisy
The publish exploded on platforms like LinkedIn, X, and Instagram, sparking each outrage and assist. Some, together with Nicolai Ouporov, CEO of Fleet AI, backed Doshi, “He has been doing this for years and works at greater than 4 startups at any given time.”
However others weren’t shopping for into the outrage. “So it’s okay for founders to run a number of firms directly however not okay for an worker to have a number of jobs?! Make it make sense,” a consumer wrote.
One other questioned whether or not efficiency ought to matter extra: “Who cares… is he performing? If that’s the case, then who cares. These similar firms will do a RIF out of nowhere and never blink an eye fixed… you suppose they deserve some timeless loyalty?”
Some customers even recommended Parekh could have been utilizing AI instruments successfully to handle a number of roles. “Everyone seems to be assuming that he has simply been sub-contracting out the work. But when he’s sensible and hardworking and actually is aware of learn how to leverage AI coding instruments, it’s completely attainable to do good work at a number of jobs in comparison with the median developer,” one remark learn.
Others, nevertheless, pointed to bigger systemic points in distant hiring: “What about individuals who interview and on the primary day of labor a unique particular person reveals up? That could be a factor. What about individuals who have 10 of their members of the family doing their work for them in a sweatshop storage? Do away with all H1B and abroad staff and practice US Residents to do the work.”
‘Not happy with what I’ve completed’: Soham Parekh responds
In newest growth within the saga, the person in query, Soham Parekh, has responded to the allegations towards him. Parekh confirmed the accusations however maintained that he had not acted out of malice or greed, admitting that he’s not happy with his actions.
In a podcast, he mentioned, “It’s true,” when requested immediately whether or not he had been employed at a number of firms concurrently. “Actually, going again to the way it began and what the motivations had been… I’d wish to preface by saying I’m not happy with what I’ve completed. It’s not one thing I endorse both,” he mentioned.
“Monetary circumstances, primarily,” he defined. “Nobody actually likes to work 140 hours per week, however I needed to do it out of necessity.”
What precisely is ‘moonlighting’, is it unlawful?
Moonlighting refers to taking over a number of jobs, typically with out informing the first employer. It has change into extra widespread within the tech sector, particularly post-pandemic. However is it towards the legislation?
Legally, moonlighting in India is not explicitly unlawful, however most employers embody non-compete clauses and insurance policies that prohibit twin employment. If an worker violates such clauses, the corporate has the best to take disciplinary motion.
Why do employers object to moonlighting?
i) Battle of Curiosity – Working for rivals or misusing insider information.
ii) Confidentiality Breach – Leaking or utilizing proprietary data elsewhere.
iii) Useful resource Misuse – Utilizing workplace gear or time for different work.
iv) Productiveness Loss – Divided consideration or availability considerations.
Keep forward of the curve with NextBusiness 24. Discover extra tales, subscribe to our publication, and be a part of our rising neighborhood at nextbusiness24.com
