The Soham Parekh Story: Silicon Valley’s Most Notorious Serial Moonlighter

In the fast-paced world of Silicon Valley startups, stories of ambitious entrepreneurs and dedicated engineers are commonplace. But rarely does a tale capture the tech community’s attention quite like that of Soham Parekh—a software engineer who managed to work at multiple startups simultaneously for years without their knowledge.

The Viral Revelation

The story exploded into public consciousness when Suhail Doshi, CEO of AI image generation startup Playground AI, took to X (formerly Twitter) with a warning that would garner over 20 million views: “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.”

Doshi’s post wasn’t just a casual observation—it was a cautionary tale born from direct experience. He had fired Parekh from Playground AI roughly a year prior after discovering his employee was simultaneously working for other companies. Despite being confronted about his deceptive practices, Parekh apparently continued his pattern of serial moonlighting.

A Pattern Emerges

Following Doshi’s revelation, a flood of similar stories emerged from Silicon Valley founders and CEOs. The pattern was remarkably consistent: Parekh would interview exceptionally well, get hired, perform competently for a period, and then be discovered working for multiple companies simultaneously.

The Impressive Resume

What makes Parekh’s story particularly intriguing is that he wasn’t a fraud in the traditional sense. Multiple founders and hiring managers praised his technical abilities:

• Flo Crivello (CEO of Lindy): Recently hired Parekh but fired him after Doshi’s tweet
• Matt Parkhurst (CEO of Antimetal): Confirmed Parekh was their first engineering hire in 2022 before being let go for moonlighting
• Rohan Pandey (formerly of Reworkd): Called Parekh one of the top three performers on their algorithms-focused interview

The consensus was clear: Parekh was genuinely skilled, making his deception all the more sophisticated.

Red Flags and Detection

Despite his technical prowess, several companies noticed warning signs:

Geographic Inconsistencies

Reworkd became suspicious when Parekh claimed to be in the U.S. (a job requirement) but his behavior suggested otherwise. They ran an IP logger on a Zoom link and discovered he was actually in India.

Scheduling Anomalies

Adam Silverman of Agency AI noted that Parekh had to reschedule their interview meeting five times—potentially indicating conflicts with other work commitments.

Inconsistent Information

Multiple interviewers noted that Parekh’s stories often didn’t add up, and his GitHub contributions and previous roles seemed questionable upon closer inspection.

The 140-Hour Work Week

In a revealing interview with the Technology Brother Podcast Network, Parekh offered his perspective on the controversy. His explanations were as extraordinary as his work arrangement:

• He claimed to work 140 hours per week (20 hours a day, seven days a week)
• He admitted to simultaneously working multiple jobs since 2022
• He denied using AI tools or hiring junior developers to help with his workload
• He cited “financial jeopardy” as his primary motivation

The Personal Cost

Parekh’s lifestyle, if his claims are accurate, came at a significant personal cost. He described being “notorious among his friends for not sleeping” and acknowledged that the arrangement was taking a toll on his health and well-being.

The Silicon Valley Response

The tech community’s reaction has been mixed, ranging from outrage to grudging admiration. Some view Parekh as a scam artist who violated trust and employment contracts. Others see him as an extreme example of the hustle culture that Silicon Valley often celebrates.

Turning Controversy into Opportunity

In true Silicon Valley fashion, Parekh appears to be attempting to monetize his viral moment. He briefly announced joining Darwin Studios, a startup working on AI video remixing, claiming this would be his exclusive employer. However, both his announcement and the company’s confirmation were quickly deleted, adding another layer of mystery to his story.

Lessons for the Industry

The Parekh phenomenon reveals several important insights about Silicon Valley’s hiring and remote work practices:

Due Diligence Gaps

Many startups, particularly early-stage companies, may lack the resources or processes to thoroughly verify employees’ exclusive commitment to their roles.

Remote Work Challenges

The shift to remote work has made it easier for individuals to maintain multiple employment arrangements without detection.

The Talent Crunch

The competitive nature of Silicon Valley hiring may lead companies to overlook red flags when faced with seemingly talented candidates.

The Ethics Question

Parekh’s situation raises complex ethical questions about employment, loyalty, and the nature of work in the modern economy. While his actions clearly violated the terms of his employment agreements, some argue that his situation highlights broader issues with startup compensation and work-life balance.

The Financial Reality

Parekh’s claim of “financial jeopardy” points to a potential disconnect between startup equity promises and immediate financial needs, particularly for international employees who may face additional economic pressures.

Looking Forward

As the story continues to unfold, it’s likely to influence how Silicon Valley companies approach hiring and employee verification. The Parekh case may become a watershed moment that leads to more rigorous background checks and employment verification processes.

Industry Impact

The widespread attention this story has received suggests it will have lasting effects on:

• Hiring practices at startups
• Remote work policies
• Employment verification procedures
• The broader conversation about work-life balance in tech

Conclusion

Soham Parekh’s story is uniquely Silicon Valley—a tale of extreme ambition, technical skill, and ethical complexity that reflects both the opportunities and challenges of the modern tech industry. Whether viewed as a cautionary tale or an extreme example of hustle culture, his story has undeniably captured the attention of an industry that prides itself on pushing boundaries.

As Silicon Valley continues to grapple with questions of remote work, employee loyalty, and the ethics of extreme work schedules, the Parekh phenomenon serves as a fascinating case study in the unintended consequences of the industry’s own values and practices.

The ultimate question remains: In an industry that celebrates disruption and unconventional thinking, where exactly is the line between ambitious hustle and unethical behavior? Parekh’s story may not provide a clear answer, but it certainly forces us to ask the question.