The Twenty Minute VC (20VC): Venture Capital | Startup Funding | The Pitch 20VC Exclusive: Mercor Raises $100M at a $2BN Valuation: Scaling to $70M in ARR in 24 Months | 9-9-6: 9AM-9PM - 6 Days Per Week: The Most Intense Culture in Silicon Valley | The Future of Programming, Models and Data with Adarsh Hiremath
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Feb 20, 2025 
Adarsh Hiremath, Co-founder and CTO of Mercor, shares insights on scaling from zero to $70M in ARR in just 24 months. He discusses the intense 9-9-6 work culture that drives their success and hints at challenges in maintaining morale. The conversation includes reflections on the future of programming and AI, revealing how synthetic and human-driven data will shape hiring processes. Adarsh also reveals intriguing anecdotes about their fundraising journey and the importance of a strong company culture amidst rapid growth.
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First Startup
- Adarsh Hiremath met his co-founder Surya at age 10 through high school debate.
- They view their debate partnership as their first startup due to shared success and constant feedback.
Mercor's Origin
- Adarsh, Surya, and Brendan started a dev shop, recruiting talent from India.
- They realized the value was in the people, leading them to automate recruitment and create Mercor.
Harvard Dorm Room
- While physically at Harvard, Adarsh Hiremath was mentally checked out, focused on Mercor with his co-founders.
- Their dorm room routine involved Brendan crashing at their roommate Artemis's bed, who later joined Mercor.