Accused of moonlighting across multiple startups, Soham Parekh opens up about his actions and the financial struggles that led to his downfall.
Soham Parekh, an Indian software engineer, has ignited a firestorm in Silicon Valley with his moonlighting scandal, dubbed “SohamGate.” Accused of juggling multiple startup roles without disclosure, his story is raising alarms over remote work ethics and trust in the fast-paced tech world. But behind the headlines and accusations is there a tale of ambition, financial disparity, and a system that may have enabled Parekh's actions?
The Quiet Rise of a Serial Moonlighter
Soham Parekh’s journey into the heart of Silicon Valley seemed almost destined. Born in Mumbai, Parekh moved to the U.S. in 2020 to pursue a master’s degree in Computer Science at Georgia Tech. However, a financial setback delayed his studies by two years, but once he arrived in the U.S., Parekh wasted no time in carving out a niche for himself.
His resume boasted impressive roles at some of the hottest AI startups around, including Dynamo AI, Union AI, Synthesia, and Alan AI.
Yet, beneath the surface of his stellar credentials, a pattern was emerging: Parekh had been secretly working multiple jobs simultaneously. This practice, while not unheard of, became explosive when one of his employers, Suhail Doshi, CEO of Playground AI, decided to call him out!
In a tweet on X, Suhail Doshi accused Parekh of moonlighting for multiple companies at the same time, including Y Combinator-backed startups. His revelation raised alarms about Parekh’s ethical conduct, and within days, Doshi fired Parekh from Playground AI!
As the controversy gained momentum, other startup founders began speaking out. Matt Parkhurst from Antimetal, Flo Crivello from Lindy AI, and Nicolai Ouporov from Fleet AI all reported hiring Parekh, only to let him go after discovering that he was juggling several roles.
A Perfect Resume Now Under Scrutiny
Although Parekh’s skills as an engineer were never in question, his credentials and work ethic soon came under intense scrutiny. As more details emerged, it became clear that Parekh had misrepresented some aspects of his professional life. His resume listed high-profile roles at companies like Dynamo AI and Synthesia, but questions were raised about the authenticity of these claims.
Working 140 Hours a Week was a Financial Necessity!
In an exclusive interview with the Technology Brother Podcast Network (TBPN), Parekh admitted to moonlighting, confirming the allegations that had surfaced. “It is true,” he said when asked about his simultaneous employment.
However, he denied any malicious intent and explained that he worked up to 140 hours a week, citing “dire financial circumstances” as the reason behind his decision to take on multiple roles.
Adding that he never subcontracted work to junior developers and wrote all the code himself. While his defense centered on the need to make ends meet, it didn’t quite quell the growing suspicion around his motives and practices.
In a personal outreach to Suhail Doshi, Parekh acknowledged the damage to his career, asking if he had “sabotaged” his future and seeking advice on how to make amends. “I’m not proud of what I’ve done,” he admitted, emphasizing that coding was his true passion and that he wanted to move forward and rebuild his career.
Whether Parekh can rebuild his career and reputation remains to be seen, but his saga will undoubtedly serve as a turning point in how we think about transparency, trust, and the price of success in the modern tech workplace.
