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Daksh Gupta, the 23-year-old Indian-born AI startup Greptile, has found himself at the center of a storm for advocating the 84-hour week policy. Despite widespread criticism, Gupta has defended his actions, comparing his company’s high-pressure environment to “rocket” growth.
In an interview with NBC Bay Area on Tuesday, Gupta emphasized his belief in hard work as the key to success. “When two teams of geniuses tackle the same problem, the team that works the hardest—and has the luck—wins.” “Although luck cannot control it, effort cannot,” he said.
The controversy arose after Gupta’s post on X (formerly Twitter) went viral, describing Greptile’s work ethic. “Our working days start at 9 in the morning and usually go past 11 in the afternoon, including Saturdays and sometimes Sundays. It’s a very stressful and intolerant place,” the post said.
Their return was swift, and many criticized the policy as exploitative. Gupta, however, insisted that such an environment was not made for everyone and acknowledged that some companies thrive with the right strategies. “I am not against working life. In fact, I recommend it – to our competitors,” he said plainly.
Gupta also revealed that his unfiltered views have attracted much criticism and unexpected admiration. “My inbox is 20 percent threatening me and 80 percent job applications,” he said with a laugh, adding that he had received death threats for his comments.
A Delhi-educated and former Amazon employee in the US, Gupta refuted claims that his work is culturally based. “I work this way because I’m a San Franciscan, not because I’m from India,” he said, reiterating his unwavering commitment to his company’s vision.
While Gupta’s approach has stirred opinion, it underscores a larger debate about the nature of the workforce in tech companies, where success often comes from hard schedules. For Gupta, the philosophy is simple: “Persistence is the change you can control in the pursuit of greatness.”
