Soham Parekh: The Software Engineer Who Simultaneously Worked at Multiple Startups in Silicon Valley

Soham Parekh, a software engineer from India, has gained viral attention after revelations surfaced that he had been working at several Silicon Valley startups at the same time, unbeknownst to his employers. The story started when Suhail Doshi, CEO of Playground AI, shared on social media about firing Parekh after discovering that he was moonlighting at other companies. Multiple other startup founders came forward with similar stories of hiring Parekh, only to let him go upon realizing he was working for other companies simultaneously. Parekh, who claims to have been in financial jeopardy, explained that he worked long hours—reportedly 140 hours a week—due to financial needs, while simultaneously claiming he loved his work. He has since appeared on a tech talk show, where he admitted to his actions, stating that while he doesn’t endorse his behavior, it has made him a better programmer. Despite his controversial actions, some still recognize his technical abilities. His story has sparked debate in the startup community, with many criticizing his moonlighting and others fascinated by his talent.