US Man Leaves AI Startup Founded by IIT Graduates on First Day, Cites Toxic Culture and Numerous Red Flags

Giga, an AI startup co-founded by IIT Kharagpur alumni Varun Vummadi and Esha Manideep, is currently facing serious allegations regarding its workplace culture. These concerns were brought to light by Jared Steele, a recently hired employee, who described his first day as a “toxic” experience.

Allegations of a Toxic Culture at Giga

Steele was hired to lead demand generation and shared that Giga’s work environment was the most toxic he had ever encountered. He alleged that employees were subjected to:

• Excessive Working Hours: 12-hour shifts, seven days a week.
• Broken Promises: Initially approved time off for personal events was revoked after he signed his contract.
• Disrespectful Behavior: Steele recalled an incident on his first day when co-founder Varun Vummadi failed to acknowledge him.
• Disturbing Comments: Alleged remarks regarding illicit spending and cultural practices that raised eyebrows.

First Day Experience

Steele made a lengthy drive of 26 hours across the country to begin his new role. However, he opted to resign on his first day, calling it the “easiest decision” he had ever made. In a social media post, he highlighted numerous red flags he observed within the company.

He stated, “Alright, time to spill the beans on Giga. Got hired back in April to lead demand gen for them. Quit after the first day. Red flags everywhere.”

Company Response and Background

Giga has not yet released an official statement addressing these allegations. The startup recently announced it secured $61 million in Series A funding. The firm specializes in developing voice-based AI systems designed to handle real-time conversations for large enterprises.

Interestingly, both co-founders prioritized starting Giga over other lucrative offers. For example, Esha Manideep turned down a $150,000 position, while Varun Vummadi opted for Giga instead of pursuing a Stanford PhD and a quant trader job that paid $525,000.

The unfolding situation has initiated discussions online about startup culture, workplace norms, and the necessity of maintaining a healthy work-life balance.