Startup Founder’s Shooting Claim Unravels, Highlighting Tech World Pressures
In a bizarre turn of events that has captivated the tech community, Deep Prasad, a Canadian engineer and entrepreneur, found himself at the center of controversy following a viral social media post claiming he had been shot at outside a San Francisco hotel.
Prasad, the founder of AI startup GenMat, which boasts ambitious claims about AI capabilities in quantum computing, took to social media to describe a harrowing encounter with individuals in a BMW. He detailed the alleged shooting and its aftermath, tagging prominent tech figure Garry Tan in his posts.
However, the story quickly unraveled as security footage revealed the noise was from firecrackers, not gunfire. Police responded with sympathy but found no evidence to support the shooting claim, and no formal investigation was launched.
The incident sparked a flurry of online reactions, with social media users creating memes and jokes at Prasad’s expense, particularly mocking his decision to tag Garry Tan in the initial post.
This event has brought attention to Prasad’s online persona, including his active participation in UFO-related subreddits and discussions about extraterrestrial materials. His combative interactions with other users on these forums have also come under scrutiny.
As the situation developed, Prasad acknowledged the incident as a prank and accepted it with a degree of humor, even continuing to engage with Garry Tan in follow-up posts.
This incident highlights the unique pressures faced by tech founders in maintaining their public image and navigating the complex world of social media, venture capital interactions, and the ever-present risk of burnout. It serves as a reminder of the fine line between maintaining a compelling online presence and potentially damaging one’s credibility in the fast-paced tech industry.
