In recent weeks, the tech industry has been abuzz with discussions surrounding Soham Parekh, an Indian software engineer accused of simultaneously holding multiple positions at various Silicon Valley startups without disclosure—a practice commonly referred to as moonlighting. This revelation has ignited debates on employment ethics, hiring practices, and the challenges of remote work oversight.
The Emergence of Allegations
The controversy came to light when Suhail Doshi, co-founder and former CEO of Mixpanel, publicly accused Parekh of deceptive employment practices. Doshi alleged that Parekh had been employed at his company, Playground AI, but was terminated within a week upon discovering that Parekh was concurrently working for multiple startups. Doshi’s warning on social media stated:
> PSA: 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 companies and more. Beware. ([business-standard.com](https://www.business-standard.com/india-news/soham-parekh-indian-techie-scam-startups-us-ceos-warning-125070300214_1.html?utm_source=openai))
This disclosure prompted other startup founders to share similar experiences. Flo Crivello, CEO of Lindy, recounted hiring Parekh only to terminate his employment shortly after due to similar concerns. Matthew Parkhurst, CEO of Antimetal, described Parekh as really smart and likable but noted that they had to let him go upon realizing his multiple commitments. ([indiatoday.in](https://www.indiatoday.in/business/story/who-is-soham-parekh-the-indian-techie-accused-of-moonlighting-in-us-2749908-2025-07-03?utm_source=openai))
Parekh’s Background and Credentials
Soham Parekh hails from Mumbai, India, and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering from the University of Mumbai, graduating in 2020 with a GPA of 9.83/10. He further pursued a Master’s degree in Computer Science from Georgia Tech, completing it in 2022. These impressive academic credentials facilitated his entry into the competitive tech industry. ([firstpost.com](https://www.firstpost.com/explainers/soham-parekh-indian-engineer-scam-us-startups-13902730.html?utm_source=openai))
His resume lists roles at several tech startups, including:
– Senior Software Engineer (Contract) at Dynamo AI (January 2024–present)
– Senior Fullstack Engineer at Union.ai (January 2023–January 2024)
– Senior Fullstack Engineer at Synthesia (December 2021–December 2022)
– Founding Software Engineer at Alan AI (January 2021–December 2021)
– Open Source Fellow at GitHub (May 2020–August 2020)
However, the authenticity of some of these claims has been called into question, with Doshi suggesting that probably 90% fake and most links are gone. ([firstpost.com](https://www.firstpost.com/explainers/soham-parekh-indian-engineer-scam-us-startups-13902730.html?utm_source=openai))
The Mechanics of Moonlighting
Managing multiple full-time roles simultaneously is a daunting task. Parekh admitted to being a serial nonsleeper and stated, No one really likes to work 140 hours a week but I had to do it out of necessity. He emphasized that his actions were driven by financial hardship rather than greed. ([businesstoday.in](https://www.businesstoday.in/latest/trends/story/no-one-likes-to-work-140-hrs-a-week-soham-parekh-admits-to-moonlighting-for-us-startups-says-had-to-do-it-because-483043-2025-07-04?utm_source=openai))
Despite his technical prowess, Parekh’s divided commitments led to performance issues. Marcus Lowe, founder of Create, noted that while Parekh excelled in interviews, problems arose from his first day of work, including spotty attendance and GitHub activity indicating contributions to other companies during supposed personal leave. ([indiatoday.in](https://www.indiatoday.in/amp/technology/features/story/what-is-it-engineer-soham-parekh-story-why-everyone-in-silicon-valley-talking-about-it-full-story-explained-2750704-2025-07-04?utm_source=openai))
Industry Reactions and Ethical Considerations
The tech community’s response has been mixed. Some view Parekh’s actions as a bold challenge to the system, while others condemn the deceit involved. Chris Bakke, founder of Laskie, suggested that Parekh should leverage his interview skills to start an interview prep company, acknowledging his ability to navigate competitive hiring processes. ([techcrunch.com](https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/03/everyone-in-tech-has-an-opinion-about-soham-parekh/?utm_source=openai))
Y Combinator CEO Garry Tan highlighted the importance of community vigilance, stating, Without the YC community this guy would still be operating and would have maybe never been caught. ([techcrunch.com](https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/03/everyone-in-tech-has-an-opinion-about-soham-parekh/?utm_source=openai))
This incident has sparked broader discussions about the ethics of moonlighting, the responsibilities of employees to disclose multiple engagements, and the need for startups to implement robust hiring and monitoring practices.
Parekh’s Response and Future Plans
In a candid interview with TBPN, Parekh expressed remorse for his actions, stating, I’m not proud of what I’ve done. It’s not something I endorse either. He attributed his decisions to financial necessity and emphasized that he did not enjoy the experience. ([business-standard.com](https://www.business-standard.com/india-news/soham-parekh-indian-techie-moonlighting-us-startups-scam-125070400315_1.html?utm_source=openai))
Looking ahead, Parekh has committed to focusing on a single role. He has joined Darwin Studios, an AI-driven data platform, and stated, This is the only thing I am going to focus on. They’ve put a bet on me and I have a lot to prove. ([moneycontrol.com](https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/trends/soham-parekh-admits-to-holding-multiple-jobs-reveals-new-role-not-proud-of-it-but-i-had-no-choice-13229392.html?utm_source=openai))
Conclusion
The case of Soham Parekh serves as a cautionary tale for both employees and employers in the tech industry. It underscores the importance of transparency, the ethical implications of moonlighting, and the challenges startups face in ensuring employee commitment. As the industry continues to evolve, fostering a culture of honesty and accountability remains paramount.
