An Indian-origin startup founder has sparked widespread discussion online after posting a bold and unconventional job listing on social media, offering a Rs 1 crore compensation package for a full-stack tech lead — without requiring a college degree or even a CV.
Sudarshan Kamath, founder of the AI startup Smallest AI, took to X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday to announce the opening, which offered a total cost to company (CTC) of Rs 1 crore. The package includes Rs 60 lakh in fixed annual pay and an additional Rs 40 lakh in company ownership benefits.
The role, Kamath emphasised, required immediate joining and would be strictly office-based, five days a week, albeit with “some flexibility.”
“Hiring a cracked full-stack lead at Smallest AI,” Kamath wrote in the post that has now gone viral, garnering over 60,000 views within hours of being shared.
What set the post apart from conventional job listings was its informal tone and directness. There was no call for a resume or academic background. Instead, applicants were asked to submit a 100-word note introducing themselves along with links to their “best work.”
Kamath specified that the ideal candidate should have “4-5 years of experience” and be well-versed with “Next JS, Python, and React JS.”
“PS – Experience working with systems scaling systems from 0 to 100 will add a ton of bonus points,” the post added.
The unusual job listing quickly gained traction on social media, with users praising the progressive approach to hiring and debating the offer’s terms.
User @satvikkhare31 wrote, “3.4 lacs per month is good money for a bachelor, but for someone who is married, it is fine, nothing extraordinary.”
Another user, @thehungrybird_, responded with sarcasm, “You said cracked! I’m in!”
Meanwhile, @BhushanRautFSE highlighted the need for remote flexibility, commenting, “It’s a great opportunity, but I think at least hybrid should be there.”
The post has resonated particularly with younger tech professionals disillusioned with traditional hiring processes that often prioritise degrees over demonstrable skills. By eliminating the need for formal educational qualifications and CVs, Kamath’s listing challenged long-held norms in corporate recruitment.
Smallest AI, the firm behind the viral listing, positions itself as an innovation-driven startup focusing on artificial intelligence products. The company’s emphasis on hands-on expertise, codebase contributions, and real-world performance over pedigree is reflective of a growing shift in the global tech industry.
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