Was Soham Parekh Forced to Work 140 Hours a Week?
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Synopsis
Soham Parekh, an Indian software engineer, has recently come under fire for moonlighting at multiple Silicon Valley startups. In a candid interview, he reveals the extreme financial pressures that led him to work 140 hours a week and discusses his journey towards securing a new role as a founding engineer.
Key Takeaways
- Soham Parekh was compelled to work 140 hours weekly due to financial pressures.
- He admitted to moonlighting and misleading employers.
- Accusations from Suhail Doshi sparked controversy.
- Parekh has secured a new position at Darwin Studios.
- He vows to avoid moonlighting moving forward.
New Delhi, July 4 (NationPress) Indian software engineer Soham Parekh, who has recently found himself at the center of controversy for taking on multiple roles at Silicon Valley startups, has come forward to explain that he was compelled to work a staggering 140 hours a week due to severe financial pressures.
In a recent appearance on a YouTube channel, Parekh acknowledged his moonlighting activities. He stated, however, that he is "not proud" of his choices but felt pushed into this situation by “extremely dire financial circumstances.”
Additionally, he admitted to misrepresenting his location and employment status to his employers.
“I’m not proud of what I’ve done. That’s not something I endorse, either. But financial circumstances. No one really likes to work 140 hours a week, but I had to do it out of necessity. I was in extremely dire financial circumstances,” Parekh shared during his interview with the TBPN YouTube channel.
“I'm not a very people person. I don't share much about what's going on with my life or my internal thought processes. I was getting more stressed, thinking, hey, I want to get out of this situation. What should I do? So it wasn't really about outreach, but necessity. I thought that if I worked multiple places, I could help myself elevate the situation I was in much faster,” he further explained.
The uproar started when Suhail Doshi, co-founder of Playground A and Mixpanel, accused Parekh on social media of "preying on YC companies" and claimed that many of the achievements listed on his resume were fabricated.
Following this, numerous startup founders have reported that while Parekh made a positive impression during interviews, he ultimately did not meet the expectations set after being hired.
Parekh also clarified that he did not utilize artificial intelligence tools to fulfill his work obligations. He mentioned that he started juggling multiple jobs back in 2022, well before AI tools like GitHub Copilot gained popularity.
Currently, Parekh has secured a position as a founding engineer at the AI startup Darwin Studios and has asserted that he will not engage in moonlighting this time.
“I am really excited about what I am going to be a part of next. You know, working with a company called Darwin. I think you know, they have put a bet on me, and I have a lot to prove,” Parekh expressed.
In a statement, Darwin’s founder and CEO, Sanjit Juneja, expressed confidence in Parekh’s capabilities.
“Soham is an incredibly talented engineer, and we believe in his abilities to help bring our products to market,” the statement concluded.
Point of View
It is crucial to understand that the work culture in tech can often push individuals into desperate situations. Soham Parekh's story reflects the broader challenges faced by many professionals in the industry. It is vital to balance ambition and ethical practices while navigating a rapidly evolving job market.
NationPress
17/07/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Soham Parekh moonlight?
Soham Parekh admitted to moonlighting due to severe financial constraints, which compelled him to work 140 hours a week.
What accusations did Suhail Doshi make against Parekh?
Suhail Doshi accused Soham Parekh of preying on YC companies and claimed that many achievements on his resume were fabricated.
Has Parekh used AI tools for his work?
Soham Parekh clarified that he did not use AI tools to perform his duties and began juggling multiple jobs before AI tools became mainstream.
What is Parekh's current employment status?
Soham Parekh has secured a job as a founding engineer at an AI startup, Darwin Studios, and has stated he will not moonlight this time.
How did Parekh feel about his moonlighting activities?
Soham Parekh expressed that he was not proud of his actions but felt they were necessary due to his financial situation.
