Bengaluru Startup Offers ₹1 Crore Salary Without CV or Degree – Founder’s Viral Hiring Call
Bengaluru, India – A groundbreaking hiring announcement by a Bengaluru-based startup is challenging traditional recruitment norms, offering a jaw-dropping ₹1 crore salary package for a full-stack developer—without requiring a degree or even a résumé. The bold move by Sudarshan Kamath, founder of Smallest AI, has gone viral on X (formerly Twitter), amassing over 3.3 lakh views and sparking widespread debate on merit-based hiring.
₹1 Crore Salary for a Full-Stack Lead – No Degree or CV Needed
Kamath, an Indian-origin techie based in Palo Alto, is hiring for a full-stack lead position at his startup, Smallest AI, located in Indiranagar, Bengaluru. The role comes with an annual compensation of ₹1 crore, broken down as:
- ₹60 lakh base salary
- ₹40 lakh in ESOPs (employee stock options)
The position is full-time, on-site, with a five-day workweek, though the job post mentions some flexibility in scheduling.
Unconventional Hiring – Skills Over Paper Credentials
What makes this opportunity revolutionary is its complete disregard for traditional hiring filters. Unlike conventional job postings that mandate degrees and polished résumés, Smallest AI is only interested in two things:
- Proven expertise in Next.js, React.js, and Python
- 4–5 years of hands-on experience, preferably with scaling systems from 0 to 100 users
The company emphasizes that this is not a managerial role—the candidate must be deeply involved in coding and product development.
How to Apply? No Résumé, Just a 100-Word Intro
Interested candidates must skip the traditional application process and instead:
- Send a 100-word self-introduction
- Include links to their best work
- Email [email protected] with the subject line: “Cracked Full Stack Lead”
Social Media Reactions – Praise and Skepticism
The job post has triggered mixed reactions:
- Supporters applaud the merit-based approach, calling it a game-changer for self-taught developers.
- Critics question whether ₹1 crore is enough given Bengaluru’s high cost of living, with one user stating:“₹3.4 lakh per month is good for a bachelor, but just fine for someone married.”
- Others demanded hybrid work options, while some simply responded with enthusiasm:“You said ‘cracked’! I’m in!”
Hiring a cracked full-stack lead at Smallest AI
— Sudarshan Kamath (@kamath_sutra) July 7, 2025
Salary CTC – 1 Cr
Salary Base – 60 LPA
Salary ESOPs – 40 LPA
Joining – Immediate
Location – Bangalore (Indiranagar)
Experience – 4-5 years minimum
Languages – Next JS, Python, React JS
Work from Office – 5 days a week (slightly…
A New Era of Hiring? Talent Over Pedigree
By eliminating degree and CV requirements, Smallest AI is pioneering a shift in recruitment—prioritizing raw skill and experience over formal credentials. This move opens doors for non-traditional candidates, proving that talent alone can command top-tier salaries.
Will other companies follow suit? Only time will tell, but for now, Bengaluru’s tech scene is buzzing with this bold hiring experiment.
