Zepto CEO Aadit Palicha Sparks Work-Life Balance Debate Amid Toxic Culture Allegations

Aadit Palicha, the 22-year-old CEO of Zepto and one of India’s youngest billionaires, has waded into the heated conversation around work-life balance. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Palicha made a cryptic remark, seemingly addressing criticism of Zepto’s work culture: “I have nothing against work-life balance. In fact, I recommend it to all our competitors.”

The comment sparked online buzz, with some interpreting it as a cheeky response to a viral Reddit post accusing Zepto of fostering a toxic work environment.

The Allegations: Late-Night Meetings and Burnout

The anonymous Reddit post claimed Zepto’s employees endure grueling schedules, including 2 a.m. meetings, allegedly because Palicha begins his workday at 2 p.m. due to his sleeping habits. The post stated:

"I have been working with Zepto for a year now. It is the most toxic work culture. Meetings start at 2 a.m. because the CEO cannot wake up early."

The Redditor further alleged exploitation of young employees and hinted at a possible “massive round of layoffs.” These claims remain unverified but have fueled the broader conversation around workplace practices in the startup ecosystem.

Palicha Responds: Clarification and Controversy

Palicha later clarified that his statement wasn’t original but rather a quote from Daksh Gupta, an Indian-origin CEO who had stirred controversy advocating for 84-hour workweeks. Palicha’s clarification read:

"FYI, not my quote - read it from an interview of Daksh Gupta.”

The clarification, however, did little to quell online speculation. Some users mocked the timing of the alleged late-night meetings, with one quipping:

"Burning the midnight oil to dunk on Reddit posts? Bold strategy! What time’s your first meeting—8 a.m. or 2 a.m.?"

Startups and Work-Life Balance: An Industry-Wide Issue

Palicha’s remarks reignited the debate about work-life balance, especially in high-growth startups. The quick-commerce industry, known for its razor-thin margins and intense competition, often demands relentless effort from employees. Zepto, which Palicha co-founded with Kaivalya Vohra in 2021 after both dropped out of Stanford, is no stranger to such scrutiny.

Despite the criticism, Zepto has solidified its position as a leader in India’s quick-commerce sector. Palicha recently made headlines as the second-youngest billionaire on the Hurun India Rich List, with a net worth of ₹4,300 crore.

While the Reddit allegations remain unverified, they’ve brought attention to the work culture at startups like Zepto. As the company continues to scale, maintaining a balance between high performance and employee well-being will be key.

This episode underscores the growing demand for accountability in startup leadership and raises questions about whether the tech industry is overdue for a cultural reset.