San Francisco, California, USA: An AI startup founded by two IIT Kharagpur alumni in the United States has come under scrutiny after a former employee accused it of fostering a harsh work environment. The company, Giga, co-founded in 2023 by Varun Vummadi and Esha Manideep, recently made headlines for securing $61 million in Series A funding. The firm specialises in creating voice-based AI solutions for businesses.

However, alongside the celebratory news of the funding round, serious allegations emerged online. Jared Steele, currently the Chief of Staff at Opal Dex, took to the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to share his experience at Giga, accusing the company of promoting an unhealthy and overly demanding workplace.

Allegations Raised by Jared Steele

Steele claimed that he joined Giga in 2025 as the head of demand generation, but resigned within a day after observing multiple “red flags.” He alleged that the company’s internal data showed inconsistencies in its reported revenues and that the terms of his employment — including his compensation and job title — were not aligned with what he had been promised.

One of Steele’s most disturbing claims was that some company leaders allegedly made inappropriate remarks about spending money on “illegal activities” once a certain revenue milestone was reached, along with an unsettling comment about “sacrificing a goat in India.”

Reports of Extreme Work Hours

According to Steele, employees at Giga were required to work 12-hour shifts, seven days a week, with very limited paid leave. He said the management often altered leave policies at will and expected staff to be “always available for work.”

Steele also recounted how, before officially joining, he informed the company about two weddings he planned to attend and had received approval for leave. But after signing the contract, he was told that he could not attend either event.

A Disappointing First Day and Sudden Exit

Steele further claimed that he had to relocate from Austin, Texas to San Francisco, California, within just three days to take up the new role. On his first day at Giga, he said he arrived early and greeted the founder, only to be ignored.

“On my first day, I stood up and reached out for a handshake as the founder walked by. He didn’t even acknowledge me,” Steele wrote, adding that after driving 26 hours across the country, he was not even welcomed to the team.

Feeling disrespected, Steele decided to resign on the same day — a move he described as “the easiest decision of my life.”

As of now, Giga and its CEO Varun Vummadi have not issued any public statement responding to these allegations.