Archive · 10 Nov 2025
IIT Alumni AI Startup Giga Faces Overwork and Toxic Culture Allegations
A new AI company called Giga, started by some smart people from an Indian university, recently got a lot of money, $61 million, to help businesses with talking robots.
But right after the good news, someone who used to work there, named Jared, said that working at Giga was not good.
He said people had to work all the time, like 12 hours every day and every week, and that even planned time off could be taken away.
Jared also mentioned that the leaders of the company sometimes said strange and worrying things, like talking about doing bad stuff or doing weird rituals.
He also said the company's money numbers didn't seem to add up.
Giga hasn't said anything about these claims yet.
AI startup Giga, founded by IIT alumni, faces allegations of overwork and a toxic work environment.
A former employee, Jared Steele, quit after one day, citing numerous red flags.
Allegations include demanding work schedules of 12 hours daily, seven days a week, and revoked pre-approved leave.
Concerns were raised about inappropriate comments from executives, including discussions of 'illegal stuff' and rituals.
The controversy follows Giga's announcement of securing $61 million in Series A funding.
- Who
- IIT Kharagpur alumni Varun Vummadi and Esha Manideep, founders of AI startup Giga, and former employee Jared Steele
- What
- Giga is facing allegations of overwork, toxic work culture, and concerning executive conduct.
- When
- Allegations surfaced shortly after the company announced $61 million in Series A funding.
- Where
- Online platforms, notably X (formerly Twitter).
- Why
- A former employee detailed a demanding work schedule, arbitrary PTO policies, alleged financial discrepancies, and inappropriate comments by executives.
Former Employee (Jared Steele)
Allegations Against Giga Executives
Work Schedule and Time Off
Former Employee (Jared Steele)
Alleged employees were expected to work 12 hours a day, seven days a week, with pre-approved leave being revoked arbitrarily.
Allegations Against Giga Executives
Executives allegedly demanded constant availability, implying a work culture where 'you are expected to always be working'.
Company Culture and Executive Conduct
Former Employee (Jared Steele)
Described a cold reception, lack of acknowledgment from founders, and claims of executives discussing spending money on 'illegal stuff' and 'sacrificing a goat in India'.
Allegations Against Giga Executives
The company's founders were previously celebrated for rejecting lucrative offers to pursue their AI startup.
Financial Discrepancies
Former Employee (Jared Steele)
Alleged internal financial dashboards showed significantly lower revenue than what was communicated to him.
Allegations Against Giga Executives
Giga recently announced securing a significant $61 million Series A funding round.
- Company Name
- Giga
- Founders
- Varun Vummadi and Esha Manideep (IIT Kharagpur alumni)
- Recent Funding
- $61 million Series A
- Company Focus
- Voice-based AI agents for businesses
- Allegations Made By
- Former employee Jared Steele (former chief of staff)
- Allegations Include
- Overwork, toxic work environment, executive misconduct
