Latest news with #Lindy
Miami Herald
9 hours ago
- Sport
- Miami Herald
A look at where FIU is expected to finish in conference in Willie Simmons' first season
Lindy's magazine predicts FIU will finish in last place this year in Conference USA's 12-team football standings. Athlon is a bit kinder to FIU, picking the Panthers ninth. Willie Simmons, FIU's new coach, doesn't agree with either prognostication. 'I think we're going to surprise people this year,' Simmons said on Tuesday at C-USA's Media Day in Frisco, Texas. The outside pessimism regarding FIU is understandable considering the fact that the Panthers have suffered through five straight losing seasons. Over the past four years, the Panthers are 9-32 overall and 3-24 in league play. In addition, FIU lost most of its top players from last season, including wide receivers Eric Rivers and Dean Patterson, who both transferred to Georgia Tech after combining for 112 catches in 2024. In fact, only four FIU starters return from last season: quarterback Keyone Jenkins; left guard Jaheim Buchanon; defensive end Keegan Davis; and cornerback Brian Blades II. Lindy's magazine doesn't have any FIU player listed as a preseason first-team All-C-USA selection. Jenkins, Buchanon and punter Trey Wilhoit are on the second team. In addition, Jenkins is named as the 'best scrambler' in the league. Athlon's – again – holds FIU in a bit higher regard. For example, Buchanon, Blades and kick returner C'Quan Jnopierre made their first-team list. Also, ex-Miami Edison and current FIU running back Sterling Joseph was named as the league's eighth-best freshman recruit. FIU's recruiting class overall was ranked fifth in the conference. Meanwhile, with FIU's players set to report on Monday and its first fall practice of the year scheduled for July 31, Simmons used the word 'excited' or 'exciting' four times in his first 20 seconds on the Media Day stage in Frisco. 'We've had an amazing seven-plus months with these guys, building the roster and putting the coaching staff together,' Simmons said. 'We're excited to get to work next week.' Simmons also admitted that FIU's resources aren't the biggest. But he's not fazed by what FIU may lack. 'Being at low-resource institutions before, you learn the value of efficiency and how to maximize your time,' Simmons said. 'We don't have unlimited resources. That means everyone doing extra work, being unselfish, and that's a quality that breeds success. 'Whether it was at Prairie View, FAMU, even Duke last year or now at FIU – when you don't have the most, you have to make the most of what you do have.'
CNBC
05-07-2025
- Business
- CNBC
Engineer caught juggling multiple startup jobs is a cautionary tale of ‘extreme' hustle culture, experts say
The tech industry is reeling after a software engineer was exposed as working at several Silicon Valley startups at the same time — and experts say it's a lesson on hustle culture gone too far. Soham Parekh, a software engineer from Mumbai, went viral on social media after being accused by Playground AI founder Suhail Doshi on X of working at a number of startups simultaneously. Doshi wrote: "There's a guy named Soham Parekh (in India) who works at 3-4 startups at the same time. He's been preying on YC [Y Combinator] companies and more. Beware. I fired this guy in his first week and told him to stop lying / scamming people. He hasn't stopped a year later. No more excuses." The post racked up 25,000 likes with more founders coming forward about hiring Parekh, including AI startup Lindy, which fired him after seeing Doshi's post. Soham Parekh did not respond to CNBC Make It's request for an interview. Matthew Parkhurst, founder of software startup Antimetal, said Parekh was the company's first engineering hire in 2022 and was smart and likable. "We realized pretty quickly that he was working at multiple companies and let him go," Parkhurst said on X. Other founders like Haz Hubble, the co-founder of social media scheduler Pally, also came forward about offering Parekh a founding engineer role. Doshi confirmed to CNBC Make It via email that Parekh worked at the company. "We realized he was working multiple jobs shortly after he joined, based on constant large fluctuations in his availability and the quality of his output. He also attended an off-site, where it became pretty clear," Doshi said. Lindy, Antimetal, and Pally did not immediately respond to CNBC's request for comment. In an interview on tech show TBPN on Thursday, Parekh admitted that it was true he was working for multiple startups at once and wasn't proud of what he had done. "No one really likes to work 140 hours a week, but I had to do this out of necessity," Parekh said in the show. "I was in extremely dire financial circumstances." Parekh said he only started doing this in 2022, and the grueling lifestyle meant he became a "serial non-sleeper." He added that he "cared about these companies" and "greed wasn't an incentive," despite his financial situation. He said he always took the lower pay, higher equity offer at companies. The tech community on social media is divided, however, with some questioning the ethics of secretly working multiple jobs, while others wonder how Parekh pulled it off. The tale of Parekh is not unique within the tech industry, with many tech workers covertly working multiple jobs in recent years in an effort to shield themselves from mass layoffs and job market uncertainty. A subreddit called "r/overemployed" was created in 2021, with users sharing advice on how they manage to balance multiple jobs without being detected. "During the peak of Covid, there was this rush from tech companies to fire talent, and there was this intense competition for talent," Alexandru Voica, head of corporate affairs and policy at AI company Synthesia, told CNBC Make It in an interview. "It caused, in some cases, this type of behavior to be more widespread than it was during non-pandemic times." Voica noted that the rise of remote work was instrumental in enabling this behavior amongst tech workers. "That led to obviously incredible benefits for hard-working people, but also allowed people who have maybe this type of attitude to, all of a sudden, get jobs that they wouldn't have before." Having at least two jobs is also common within India's IT sector. There was a 25-30% increase in moonlighting seen between 2020 and 2023, according to Randstad India, with workers citing factors such as low pay and remote work. While Parekh's grueling work hours are unusual — even in tech — it's a reminder of how deeply hustle culture is entrenched within the industry. "Silicon Valley's obsession with productivity metrics and fast hiring has created conditions where a person can juggle five roles — and not because it's efficient, but because no one is truly looking," Dmitry Zaytsev, founder of talent management company Dandelion Civilization, said to CNBC Make It. "What we're seeing is the extreme end of hustle culture: when work becomes performance, and identity becomes fragmented." Zaytsev explained that Parekh essentially passed multiple rounds of technical interviews because soft skills aren't as valued in tech. Qualities like commitment, reliability and team presence "are often overlooked until there's a crisis," he said. "Burnout is a predictable outcome when the workplace culture rewards overcommitment and treats exhaustion as a badge of honor. Soham's admission that he worked 140 hours a week is not just unhealthy, it's a reflection of a system that equates worth with output," he added. It comes as European tech startups face pressure from some VCs to adopt a more rigorous work schedule — such as China's "996" or Silicon Valley's 24/7, always-on culture — to better compete on a global tech stage. This has been met with backlash, with founders telling CNBC Make It that overwork can lead to a crisis of productivity, burnout, and even resentment. Suranga Chandratillake, general partner at Balderton Capital, said this debate came about due to "a fetishization of overwork" and a glorification of hustle culture in the tech and startup scene in Silicon Valley. Synthesia's Voica warned that workers who take advantage of flexible working policies risk painting other engineers in a bad light, and could have these benefits taken away. "Most of the engineers that I know are very hard working, very dedicated, very passionate, and then when you have this type of more cavalier behavior, it sets this tone that this is normal behavior in the community," Voica explained. This might cause employers to second-guess whether they should keep hybrid working policies in place, he said. "This is going to impact women. It's going to impact people with disabilities [and] the more vulnerable, who actually benefited from this [flexible] work arrangement, and now they're going to be impacted by this type of behavior," he added.
Hindustan Times
03-07-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
'Drone shot down 10 mins away': AI founder shares Soham Parekh's Operation Sindoor guilt-trip texts
As the controversy around Soham Parekh deepens, a US-based AI startup founder has shared screenshots of his conversations with the Indian techie, claiming that he used tensions between India and Pakistan during Operation Sindoor to emotionally manipulate him. Leaping AI founder Arkadiy Telegin took to X to reveal messages exchanged with Soham Parekh.(X/@akyshnik) Leaping AI founder Arkadiy Telegin took to X (formerly Twitter) to reveal messages exchanged with Parekh. He said that the techie guilt-tripped him for taking too long on pull requests while the latter claimed to be caught in the middle of a conflict zone. 'Soham used to guilt-trip me for being slow on PRs when the India-Pakistan thing was going on, all while he was in Mumbai. The next person should hire him for the Chief Intelligence Officer role,' Telegin wrote. Take a look at the post here: In the screenshots, dated during the peak of Operation Sindoor, Parekh messaged Telegin at 2.29 AM saying, 'Drone shot down 10 minutes away.' Telegin, appearing alarmed, asked if Parekh was okay. Parekh replied that a building near his home had been damaged. Telegin's post was met with a mix of concern and criticism. One user accused him of seeking 'cheap labour,' to which the founder responded by saying he had offered Parekh a compensation package ranging from $150,000 to $200,000, along with equity in the company. Multiple startup CEOs have now come forward to accuse Parekh of moonlighting across several firms. Flo Crivello, founder and CEO of Lindy, said, 'Holy sh*t. We hired this guy a week ago. Fired this morning. He did so incredibly well in interviews, must have a lot of training. Careful out there.' Others, including Antimetal CEO Matthew Parkhurst, Fleet AI co-founder Nicolai Ouporov and Mosaic founder Adish Jain, confirmed Parekh had worked at their companies simultaneously and impressed during interviews.
Hindustan Times
03-07-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Why is Indian coder Soham Parekh being accused of ‘scamming' US startups? Explained
Soham Parekh, an Indian developer, has sparked major controversy in the US tech scene after entrepreneur Suhail Doshi accused him of 'moonlighting across multiple startups and scamming employers.' US entrepreneur Suhail Doshi's post about Soham Parekh triggered a flood of similar experiences shared by founders from startups like Lindy, Fleet AI, and Antimetal.(X) In a series of posts on X (formerly Twitter), Doshi, the co-founder and ex-CEO of Mixpanel, labelled Parekh a 'scammer' who had tricked several startups, including those backed by the Y Combinator accelerator. Doshi revealed that he had fired Parekh just a week after hiring him, saying it was due to dishonesty. 'He reached out privately and said he regretted it,' Doshi noted. His post prompted a wave of similar accounts from other startup founders, including those from Lindy, Fleet AI, and Antimetal. These employers described being initially impressed by Parekh's skills during interviews, only to later find out he was juggling multiple roles without disclosure. In total, at least five startups have since come forward with allegations against Parekh. Despite the uproar, he has not responded publicly, though he reportedly contacted Doshi in private to express remorse. The situation has ignited debate in tech circles over hiring transparency and remote work ethics. The controversy explained The controversy surrounding Soham Parekh has brought attention to the fine line between moonlighting and founding multiple startups—a distinction that hinges on deception versus disclosure. In Parekh's case, critics say the issue lies in the lack of transparency. He is accused of violating contracts and breaking the trust of companies that believed they were hiring a full-time, fully committed employee. In reality, each employer was unknowingly receiving only a portion of his time and effort. While Parekh's resume lists a bachelor's degree from the University of Mumbai and a master's from the Georgia Institute of Technology, the authenticity of these credentials is now being called into question. As the allegations gained momentum online, they sparked broader discussions about remote hiring practices, weak background verification, and the moral grey area of moonlighting in the tech world. Some questioned how one engineer could manage so many jobs, while others acknowledged his apparent brilliance in interviews. One user on social media, who claimed to have worked with Parekh, said, 'When he works, yes. I saw him taking on a task and finishing in an hour when it'd take at least three for other engineers.' For several Silicon Valley startups, working with Parekh became a cautionary tale. Many described him as smart, engaging, and highly likable during the hiring process. But once hired, issues allegedly began to surface – missed meetings, delayed output, and what appeared to be the fallout of overcommitting to multiple full-time roles. The resume that listed roles at high-profile AI startups has now come under doubt, with Doshi remarking that it was 'probably 90% fake.' The episode has underscored the gaps in vetting remote talent and prompted a reckoning over how startups screen candidates in an increasingly global and remote-first hiring landscape.
Time of India
03-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
The Moonlighting Maverick: Who Is Soham Parekh?
It might be the birthday of the Top Gun Maverick, but the moonlighting maverick is hogging all the limelight. It's Soham Parekh, the India‑based software engineer who's gone viral – earning both admiration and alarm across Silicon Valley. But who really is Soham Parekh? Let's unpack. Earlier this month, a viral post by Playground AI founder Suhail Doshi on X revealed Parekh was allegedly holding three to five simultaneous jobs at US startups (many backed by Y Combinator), sparking a wave of outrage. Founders at Fleet AI, Antimetal, Warp, Lindy, and others confirmed similar experiences, with several deeming him deceptive and terminating contracts. Yet Parekh's CV portrays a stellar academic and professional journey. Let's unpack the real story behind this multi‑hat maverick. The viral allegations: Sending shockwaves through Silicon Valley The story took momentum when Suhail Doshi, former Mixpanel CEO and Playground AI founder, issued a public warning: Parekh was allegedly working simultaneously at three to five startups – without disclosure – targeting YC-funded companies. Claims included: Being fired during his first week at Playground AI for dishonesty A resume fraught with links that were "gone" and "probably 90% fake" Roles at companies like Dynamo AI, Synthesia, Alan AI, and GitHub This alarm resonated with other startup founders – Lindy, Fleet AI, Antimetal, Warp – all recounting their own dealings with Parekh, confirming either firing or abrupt cancellations upon discovery. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trade Bitcoin & Ethereum – No Wallet Needed! IC Markets Start Now Undo Parekh's academic and professional trajectory Despite the scandal, Parekh's résumé – as shared by Doshi – painted an impressive picture: Bachelor's in Computer Engineering – University of Mumbai (2020) Master's in Computer Science – Georgia Tech (2022) Alleged prior roles included: Open Source Fellow at GitHub (May–Aug 2020) Founding Engineer at Alan AI (2021) Full‑stack Engineer roles at Synthesia and Contract work with Dynamo AI (2024 onward) In fact, before the controversy, Parekh was recognized for genuine technical contributions: Active contributor in the MLH Fellowship, working on WebXR, AR/VR example code via Founded Devstation, a non-profit promoting open-source adoption Published articles on machine learning, cybersecurity, and development – from his personal blog ( to Medium From their accounts, friends of Parekh and community members remember an ambitious engineer focused on real-world tech impact – making the scandal all the more dramatic. The paradox of Parekh: The testimonials Following Doshi's post, a line of startup leaders came forward: Flo Crivello (Lindy) said, while speaking about Parekh: 'Hired a week earlier, fired this morning… did incredibly well in interviews.' Nicolai Ouporov (Fleet AI) said: 'He has been doing this for years and works at more than 4 startups at any given time.' Matthew Parkhurst (Antimetal) dubbed Parekh 'really smart and likeable,' but relieved him once multi‑jobbing surfaced, while Michelle Lim (Warp) engaged him for a trial project but cancelled post-scandal. Even lesser-known founders – like Igor Zalutski from Digger CI – chimed in, calling the behavior 'unhinged' and noting how well Parekh nailed interviews despite deceit. The social spotlight While no public statement has come, Doshi revealed a private message from Parekh: 'Have I completely sabotaged my career? What can I do to improve my situation? I am also happy to come clean.' But given these revelations have been quite some 'juicy content', social media users have had a field day. Parekh, who is being dubbed as the 'Wolf of YC Street,' has been trending all over X. While one social media user joked: 'Every crypto marketer has been Soham Parekh at some point in their career,' another quipped, 'Woke up with fever and cold…it's over for me y'all… Soham Parekh please don't take my job.' What's even funnier, one internet user, going with the username 'Sohamp711' and a private X profile, has put up this as his bio: 'NOT the viral startup guy.' That's not all. An internet user has even come out with a new startup idea for Parekh, in case he loses his six startup jobs – 'Soham Parekh should start a company called the 100x engineer.' While some hailed his hustle mentality: 'a corporate majdoor who cracked the matrix,' others demanded serious reforms: remote hiring, background checks, and ethical transparency must be revisited. The bigger picture: Will the real Soham Parekh please stand up? Parekh's saga isn't just sensational – it catalyzes a global rethink on hiring standards: Rigorous vetting needed: With overseas remote work a norm, startups must ratchet up verification, cross-check references, and validate credentials. Ethics vs efficiency: High-speed hiring can tempt overlooking red flags. Parekh displayed top-tier skill – but with deceptive intent. Policy evolution: Companies from Infosys to Wipro are reshaping moonlighting rules—some even allowing side-gigs under strict supervision. Truth to be told: the tale of Soham Parekh isn't black and white. On one side, a gifted coder who built immersive WebXR projects, led open-source, and documented learning. On the other hand, an alleged moonlighting mastermind with a possibly embellished résumé. That duality – innovation shadowed by possible fraud – is what makes his story so captivating. If Parekh genuinely 'comes clean' – as he intended, in his alleged DM to Doshi – his story could evolve from a cautionary tale to a redemption arc. But until then, his impact on hiring ethics and remote work best practices is undeniable. Meet Manasi Parekh, TV Star Who Won National Award Best Actress 2024
