Technology
Why was Justin Zhu fired as CEO of Iterable?
CO-FOUNDER and former CEO of Iterable Justin Zhu says he was pushed out of the $2 billion marketing startup.
Zhu has admitted that he was released from the company for his drug use.
Justin Zhu and Andrew Boni co-founded Iterable in 2013.[/caption]
Why was Justin Zhu fired as CEO of Iterable?
The startup sent out a company-wide memo on Monday revealing that Zhu was fired for violating company policy.
Zhu claims that he was fired for taking LSD before a work meeting in 2019.
He told Bloomberg that, “he was experimenting by taking a limited amount of the drug, or microdosing, in an effort to boost his focus.”
Microdosing has become increasingly popular in recent years specifically in Silicon Valley.
Iterable is a cross-channel marketing platform.[/caption]
Steve Jobs has spoken openly about using the illegal substance saying, “Taking LSD was a profound experience, one of the most important things in my life.”
What is microdosing?
Microdosing involves taking a small fraction of a recreational dose of LSD or other hallucinogens.
It is believed to improve mood, induce physical and mental stimulation, and encourage creative thinking.
Many hallucinogens’ are categorized as Schedule 1 drugs meaning they have no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse.
Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) is a hallucinogenic drug.[/caption]
Due to their Schedule 1 status, it is difficult for the FDA to approve scientific studies on the drugs.
However, certain psychedelics have seen positive results in treatment for mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, and PTSD.
Microdosing gained popularity through online platforms as users would share their experiences on the internet posting on sites like Reddit.
What has Iterable said about firing Justin Zhu?
Co-founder Andrew Boni said Zhu’s removal from the company was over unspecified violations of “Iterable’s Employee Handbook, policies and values.”
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Boni was chosen by the board to replace Zhu.
Boni reportedly explained that Zhu’s actions not only violated the company’s “policies and values,” but his “behavior also undermined the board’s confidence in Justin’s ability to lead the company going forward.”
He went on to describe Zhu as a “world-class innovator and creative thinker” whose “vision, creativity and passion will remain a core part of our culture.”
