By Anurag Kumar
Soham Parekh, an Indian engineer, is at the centre of a controversy in Silicon Valley following accusations from several US startups regarding his alleged moonlighting practices. The situation escalated after Suhail Doshi, founder of Playground AI, publicly warned others about Parekh’s purported simultaneous employment at multiple companies without proper disclosure. Allegations of Dual Employment According to reports, Parekh is believed to have worked for up to four or five startups, many of which are backed by Y Combinator. Doshi’s warning on social media highlighted that Parekh was dismissed from Playground AI within a week of his hiring after his dual employment was uncovered. Doshi also shared what he claimed was Parekh’s CV, which included positions at companies such as Dynamo AI and Synthesia, raising doubts about the authenticity of his credentials. “PSA: there鈥檚 a guy named Soham Parekh (in India) who works at 3-4 startups at the same time. He鈥檚 been preying on YC companies and more. Beware. I fired this guy in his first week and told him to stop lying / scamming people. He hasn鈥檛 stopped a year later. No more excuses,” read his post. Other founders corroborated Doshi’s claims, indicating similar experiences with Parekh. Flo Crivello, founder of Lindy, stated that he had to terminate Parekh’s contract shortly after hiring him. Nicolai Ouporov, CEO of Fleet AI, confirmed that Parekh had worked with them, noting that he had been engaging in this practice for years. Matthew Parkhurst, CEO of Antimetal, remarked on Parekh’s intelligence but indicated that the firm had to let him go once they discovered his multiple commitments. The unfolding events have sparked broader discussions regarding remote hiring practices and the ethics surrounding moonlighting in the tech industry. Many are questioning how an engineer could manage multiple roles simultaneously and the adequacy of background checks in the hiring process. Parekh’s case has become a cautionary tale for startups navigating the complexities of remote work. Despite the controversy, Parekh has not publicly commented on the allegations. However, he reportedly reached out to Doshi privately, expressing regret and seeking advice on how to rectify his situation. His educational background, which includes a degree from the University of Mumbai and a master鈥檚 from Georgia Institute of Technology, is now under scrutiny as well. A Lesson for Silicon Valley Startups The allegations against Soham Parekh serve as a stark reminder for many in Silicon Valley about the importance of rigorous hiring standards. As discussions around the implications of moonlighting continue, the incident highlights the need for better oversight in the rapidly evolving tech space.