Toxic nepotism zero innovation non sense company - Data Scientist HiLabs Employee Review

1.0
Jun 11, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

You make good friends though everyone leaves within 2-6 months you bond really well due to companies toxic culture

Cons

This company is an absolute mess. Nepotism is so blatant that CAO / CEO takes pride about certain hires being favoured simply because they went to the same college and branch as the CEO. Performance barely seems to matter when nepotism/ politics are what drive promotions. What’s even more baffling is the level of politics. The CAO frequently inserts himself into decisions that should be owned by engineering and product leadership. Instead of Engineering Heads, Product Heads, or the CPO evaluating people based on impact and performance, promotions often appear to be influenced by personal relationships and office politics. Since the CAO is the CEO’s cousin, he behaves as though he has authority over every aspect of employees’ careers. This is the most toxic company I’ve worked at. Ethics seem nonexistent, and favoritism outweighs merit at every level. There is little to no product vision. Most discussions revolve around cabs and food services, which the company treats as groundbreaking, again because those vendors are again tied to CEO. Like nepotism exists everywhere u see. On the technology front, there is very little innovation. Much of what is marketed as “AI” feels like wrapping a Gemini API with a few prompts and calling it cutting-edge technology. It’s disappointing to see so much hype and so little substance. Overall, it feels like a company driven by nepotism, politics, and appearances rather than talent, execution, or genuine innovation.

Explore other reviews about HiLabs

5.0
May 23, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

[All good reviews are not fake :)] The company deserves a fair feedback - not one that is given by emotional individuals who were let go due their low performance and somehow think that they know how to run a company. Service Based Company- The productization is approaching other B2B firms - think Innovacer, Atlassian, Sevicenow (cannot compare to biggies like Microsoft). This is coming from someone who has worked for a B2B firm in the past. Off course there is techdebt, what do you expect from a mid sized startup. Try working for Musigma and TCS - you will know what services is. Bonuses and Appraisal- One of the few companies where the CEO actually mentions the reason for delay and when it will be disbursed. The priority of disbursement is given to the junior employees. (what does this tell about "the CEO favoring the inner circle" comment). Its a bloodbath in tech where its a blessing to just have a job (forget bonuses and all those fancy things), Its not 2021 era when companies were dependent on product, engineering or data science. Sinking Customer Base- Ignorant bashing - Check with your colleagues/seniors about the recent government contract, new products being implemented Long Term Vision- This is usually the funniest remark coming for someone who doesnt understand this term or dont know what to complain about. Go do some old school research where US healthcare is headed towards. Leadership Masterclass- Hired the Binny Bansal of healthcare. The dude is a veteran and is going to take this firm places (maybe IPO? who knows). Clear differentiator from other firms in the same space. If you have stocks hold tight, if you are a new joiner try to negotiate for some. Toxic Work- This is a mixed bag. Dont deny some hotspots of bad leadership (covered in Cons) but also the fact that low performers who are inefficient complain about working more.

Cons

Actual Cons- Leadership (Onshore) disconnected - Some hotpsots (in some products, work areas) due to missing middle management or bad leadership presence. There is a deeper reason for this problem- The company is a run by a solopreneur unlike typical US-India model of one business co founder in US and a tech co founder in India. The company has been slow in taking action on them. Good thing is that the eventually get uncovered (across functions). They are either let go or leave. Nepotism/Favorism (limited)- Suck it up and live with it because this is real world. Some of it is present everywhere. (you scratch my back I scratch yours?)

2
avatar
HiLabs Response
3w
Thank you for sharing your perspective and for recognizing HiLabs’ mission, momentum, and leadership. We appreciate feedback that reflects both the opportunities and the realities of working in a fast-paced, high-impact environment. HiLabs continues to grow through strong execution, client trust, and the dedication of employees who take ownership of meaningful work. We remain focused on building a performance-driven culture where talented people can contribute, grow, and help shape the future of healthcare data.
1.0
Apr 20, 2026
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

The "Anti-Pattern" Education: You will leave with a crystal-clear understanding of how not to run a company. It is a "paid education" in identifying red flags, setting professional boundaries, and understanding the value of true leadership. If you are looking for a "trial by fire" environment to learn what a toxic culture looks like, this is a masterclass in setting boundaries by having them constantly tested.

Cons

​The "Social" Requirement: There is an unprofessional emphasis on social activities and late-night drinking as a prerequisite for professional standing. Career longevity and favor seem to be determined by who participates in the CEO's after-hours office habits rather than actual product delivery or strategic output. If you don't participate in this specific social circle, your tenure is likely at risk. ​Management by Emotion: Decision-making is erratic and driven by the leadership's emotional state rather than data or business logic. This leads to constant "firefighting" and a complete lack of work-life balance. ​A "Service" Trap: While marketed as a product-based AI company, the reality is manual file processing and "brute-forcing" results to satisfy demanding clients. The tech stack is often secondary to manual labor. ​Retaliatory Environment: There is a palpable fear of dissent. Disagreeing with leadership—even on technical grounds—is frequently met with immediate termination or being pressured to resign.

9
avatar
HiLabs Response
1mo
Thank you for sharing your perspective and experience. HiLabs operates in a fast-moving environment where expectations are high and teams are encouraged to take ownership while working on complex healthcare data challenges that have meaningful industry impact. We recognize that different individuals can experience fast-paced organizations differently, particularly in environments focused on rapid growth and execution. At the same time, many employees continue to find strong opportunities for learning, collaboration, and career development across teams and functions. We remain committed to fostering a professional environment built around performance, accountability, and continuous growth as we continue scaling the business and delivering value to our clients.
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