Career / 4 min read
This AI Founder Doesn’t Care About Your Degree — And Offered ₹1 Crore to Prove It. Viral Post
Sudarshan Kamath, founder of the AI startup Smallest AI, took to X. No college. No résumé. Still a ₹1 crore offer.
This AI Founder Doesn’t Care About Your Degree — And Offered ₹1 Crore to Prove It. Viral Post
Sudarshan Kamath, founder of the AI startup Smallest AI, took to X. No college. No résumé. Still a ₹1 crore offer.
A few days ago, the internet blew up when the founder of a Bengaluru-based AI startup posted an open challenge:
He’s looking for a full-stack developer.
- No résumé needed.
- No fancy college degree required.
- Just raw skills.
And guess what? The compensation?
₹1 crore.
Yes, you read that right.
As someone who’s been in the tech space — hiring, mentoring, and guiding candidates — this moment felt important.
Because it reflects a quiet revolution already underway in the world of hiring, unlike a traditional hiring process which needs you to prove your worth using your degree, certifications and all.
More About the Post
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.
About the role:
- Required immediate joining
- Strictly office-based, five days a week, albeit with “some flexibility.”
- 4–5 Years experience
- Well-versed with “Nextjs, Python and React.js”
- Experience working with a scaling system from 0–100 (Tons of bonus points)
The post went viral within just a few minutes of upload, garnering over 60,000 views in a few hours.
My View on This Whole Post
Degree VS Deliverables
For the longest time, your college degree was your golden ticket. Your CV had to scream brand names — of companies, colleges, certifications — to even get you shortlisted.
But not anymore.
Startups, especially in AI and fast-moving tech, don’t have time to screen “credentials.” They want proof. Proof that you can build, debug, deploy, and deliver. Not that you can memorize textbook definitions.
This founder just made it public.
And generous.
The Rise of Skill-First Hiring
This isn’t a one-off story. Companies like Google, Apple, and Tesla have openly said they’re moving away from degree-based hiring.
The startup world? Even faster.
What’s changing:
- Job postings saying “degree optional” instead of “must be from IIT/NIT”
- Founders are directly scouting talent on GitHub, Reddit, Twitter (yes, seriously)
- Recruiters looking at project portfolios over GPAs
It’s not hype. It’s happening. You just haven’t been told loud enough. So instead running behind fancy degrees, just gather the required skill and show off in market.
Is this Package Really A Big Deal?
To be honest, if someone has around 5 years of experience and already possesses the skills listed, chances are they’re already earning close to this
— I say that from personal experience, because I’m in the same boat.
Sure, the ₹1 crore figure sounds eye-catching, but a big chunk of it is likely in stock options, which makes the package look more luxurious than it actually is.
That said, if you’ve been focused on building solid skills over the years, this isn’t some magical number — it’s becoming more common in high-demand roles.
Now, if the entire package was base salary, that would’ve been a wild (and hard-to-refuse) offer! 😅
What do you think?
Do you feel this kind of package matches your level of experience?
Drop your thoughts in the comments — I’d love to hear your take and experiences too!
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