Zepto’s Aadit Palicha admits mistake over controversial work-life balance remark

Aadit Palicha, CEO and co-founder of Zepto, has admitted that his 2024 post on work-life balance was a “stupid idea.” In a candid conversation with Y Combinator CEO Garry Tan, Palicha reflected on his entrepreneurial journey, work culture at Zepto, and controversies he has faced along the way.

Back in December 2024, Palicha had shared a sarcastic remark on X (formerly Twitter) about work-life balance. “I have nothing against work-life balance. In fact, I recommend it to all our competitors," he had posted. The comment had sparked significant backlash, with many accusing Zepto of promoting a toxic work environment.

Addressing the controversy on Y Combinator’s podcast, Garry Tan referred to Palicha’s old post, prompting a quick response from the Zepto CEO who called it a “stupid idea.” Palicha admitted that the post was poorly thought out and acknowledged the impact it had on perceptions about his company.

Expanding on Zepto’s work culture, Palicha emphasized that the startup is designed for those who are highly ambitious and execution-focused. "Join Zepto if you're really looking to do the best work of your life," he said, while admitting the intense environment may not suit everyone.

He added that employees at Zepto are held accountable to solving real-world problems every day, which can help them become the best versions of themselves. However, he conceded that not every employee might feel the same way about the demanding work culture, despite his own passion making it feel less like work.

With more than 3,000 corporate employees, Zepto continues to grow rapidly in India’s competitive quick commerce sector, but Palicha’s comments highlight the evolving conversation around hustle culture in the startup ecosystem.