Rs.1.5 Crore Salary for Juniors? Meet the 23-year-Old Indian-Origin CEO Making Waves in Silicon Valley with his Unusual Work Culture
Rs.1.5 Crore Salary for Juniors? Meet the 23-year-Old Indian-Origin CEO Making Waves in Silicon Valley with his Unusual Work Culture
Daksh Gupta, the Indian-origin and US-based CEO who faced widespread backlash last year for promoting 14-hour workdays, has not changed his mind. Gupta, the co-founder of AI startup Greptile in San Francisco, continues to defend long work hours and hustle culture.
A recent profile in The San Francisco Standard even described him as “the poster child of AI boom’s grindcore culture.” Speaking to the outlet, Gupta insisted that many Silicon Valley tech workers enjoy long hours. “Most people here like to work 12 hours a day, six days a week,” he claimed.
Gupta said the work ethic in the Bay Area is shifting away from party culture to focus, health, and discipline. Referring to the Burning Man festival, he remarked that it no longer attracts young professionals. “The current vibe is no drinking, no drugs, 9-9-6 [work from 9 am to 9 pm, six days a week], lift heavy, run far, marry early, track sleep, and eat steak and eggs,” Gupta told The San Francisco Standard.
For him, the startup journey is about full commitment. Last year, he compared the company’s intensity to a “rocket launch,” saying employees should be ready for long hours if they want to be part of the ride.
Salaries and Perks at Greptile
Despite the demanding culture, Gupta insists that Greptile offers competitive pay and benefits. Last week, he announced several vacancies at his San Francisco-based startup, making clear that remote work is not an option. Employees are required to be in the office every day.
The pay packages, however, are among the highest in the industry. A junior employee at Greptile can expect a base salary between $140,000 (₹1.2 crore) and $180,000 (₹1.5 crore) per year. In addition, they receive $130,000 (₹1.08 crore) to $180,000 (₹1.5 crore) in yearly equity.
For senior hires with more than seven years of experience, the base salary ranges from $240,000 (₹2 crore) to $270,000 (₹2.25 crore) per year. Alongside these salaries, Greptile provides perks like free lunch and dinner, free transportation, healthcare, and a 401k match.
Why His Views Sparked Backlash
Gupta’s tough stance on work culture has repeatedly sparked strong reactions online. Last year, when he publicly said employees are expected to work 14 hours a day, critics accused him of promoting an outdated and harmful minds
The comments quickly went viral, with many arguing that such a routine was unhealthy and unsustainable. Social media was flooded with concerns about mental health, burnout, and toxic workplace expectations. While some admire Gupta’s dedication, many workplace experts warn against his model. They argue that while long hours may give quick results in the short run, they are damaging in the long term.
According to critics, forcing employees into a 12- to 14-hour daily schedule often leads to burnout, reduced creativity, and strained personal relationships. They point out that many modern startups now emphasize flexibility, remote work, and employee well-being to attract talent.
Gupta, however, remains firm. For him, discipline, focus, and relentless effort are what set apart successful companies during the AI boom.
