Zepto CEO Aadit Palicha walks back 'work-life' jab, calls it a 'stupid idea', claims startup culture isn't for everyone

Zepto CEO Aadit Palicha has publicly acknowledged his controversial 2024 post on work-life balance as a "stupid idea," amidst criticism of the company's intense work culture. In a recent podcast with Y Combinator's Garry Tan, Palicha discussed the challenges Zepto faced during the 2022–2023 funding crisis, including hiring missteps and the Silicon Valley Bank collapse. He emphasized the company's execution-focused environment, noting it's tailored for highly ambitious individuals. Palicha also urged Indian startups to adopt a more ambitious mindset to achieve global success.​