Sridhar Arunagiri, the founder of 16VC, a Bengaluru-based investment firm, is facing severe criticism for posting job openings that require candidates to work without pay until they meet certain expectations.

His LinkedIn post, which advertised roles for product managers, software engineers, UX designers, and growth strategists, explicitly mentioned that selected applicants would have to prove their worth before receiving compensation. Even then, the first month would remain unpaid.

Defending the company’s approach, Sridhar stated that they were only interested in hiring exceptional talent and would rather compensate top performers well than pay those who don’t meet their standards. However, this justification failed to convince many, as the post quickly went viral for all the wrong reasons.

Users across LinkedIn, X, and Reddit condemned the job listing, with many calling it “exploitation disguised as ambition.” Critics pointed out the contradiction of claiming to offer above-market salaries while simultaneously refusing to pay at the start.

Adding to the controversy, online searches for 16VC have unearthed multiple allegations from individuals who claim to have been duped by fraudulent job offers from the company.

Amid mounting backlash, 16VC has not yet issued an official response. The incident has reignited discussions on fair wages, ethical hiring, and work-life balance in India’s startup ecosystem.