Brijesh Desai 
Indian-origin CEO Daksh Gupta goes viral for championing a strict 9-9-6 work schedule at Greptile, reigniting debates over hustle culture, startup life, and work-life balance in Silicon Valley.
A young entrepreneur has ignited a fresh storm in Silicon Valley’s ongoing tug-of-war over work-life balance, sparking conversations well beyond tech circles. Daksh Gupta, the 23-year-old Indian-origin CEO of Greptile, didn’t just break the internet with his unapologetic embrace of the infamous “9-9-6” work schedule—he’s put the startup grind back in the spotlight.
Silicon Valley’s 9-9-6 Debate Heats Up
For the uninitiated, 9-9-6 stands for working 12 hours daily, six days a week. Gupta’s company proudly runs this schedule—not as exploitation, but as a discipline, a lifestyle, and the cost of trying to reach “escape velocity” in those critical first years. “No drinking, no drugs, 9-9-6, lift heavy, run far, marry early, track sleep, eat steak and eggs,” Gupta recently told The San Francisco Standard, painting a rigorously Spartan picture of life at his startup.
Initially popularized in China, the 9-9-6 schedule was designed to propel companies ahead in hyper-competitive industries. Despite being outlawed in China due to labor concerns, some U.S. startups have adopted similar patterns to try to match global rivals’ output, attracting driven employees with promises of higher pay, equity, and promotions.
Current Trends
The 9-9-6 work culture reflects the global tech industry’s struggle between hustle and balance, with European markets rejecting the trend and Silicon Valley increasingly debating its merits as AI competition intensifies.
In short, 9-9-6 is a controversial, high-intensity work model that is shaping conversations about ambition, productivity, and employee welfare in tech.
Is Burnout the Price of Success?
Gupta’s hardline attitude is nothing new to the Valley, but his forthrightness is. He’s blunt—failures and tough conversations are part of the journey, and nobody gets a free ride. That grind, he claims, is a rite of passage for young engineers and founders. Still, he’s clear that such intensity isn’t sustainable forever, admitting the schedule is for a “narrow, clearly defined window” at the company’s inception. The goal? Build fast, iterate faster, and eventually pivot to a more sustainable model as the team grows and matures.
What’s Life Like at Greptile?
Gupta didn’t inherit his CEO chair—he earned it, scraping through Georgia Tech, launching projects with his co-founders, and eventually nabbing $5.3 million in seed funding for Greptile, which builds AI tools for developers. At Greptile, Gupta reportedly takes the lowest salary, sending a signal to his crew that he’s all in, just like them. Weekend work, long nights, and mandatory Saturdays aren’t just rules—they’re commitments. Remote work? Forget it. Perks, however, aren’t absent: junior roles can fetch base salaries upwards of $140,000, with tempting equity on the side, and free meals and healthcare sweeten the pot.
Is This the New Norm—or Just a Passing Trend?
Gupta’s viral comments have reignited age-old debates between hustle and balance; between those who see relentless work as the cost of success, and those who worry about burnout and long-term mental health. Some believe the 9-9-6 regime can unite teams, create momentum, and weed out anyone lacking commitment. Others call it exclusionary, even cruel if not strictly time-boxed and voluntary. Gupta’s method clearly appeals to those ready to make sacrifices, but its sustainability—and scalability—remain very much in question.
Maybe Gupta’s not trying to build a company for everyone—maybe he’s just building it for those who, for a season, want to give their all. Whether you love it or hate it, the 9-9-6 work culture at Greptile has left Silicon Valley buzzing about the true cost of startup ambition—and what “success” is really worth.
So, is this the grind that builds unicorns—or just another chapter in Silicon Valley’s love affair with hustle? Maybe it’s both. But if Gupta wanted folks talking, mission accomplished.