Opendoor CEO Kaz Nejatian was trolled on social media after he vouched for the Indian workers he had recently laid off. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Nejatian stated that his one-line social media message advocating for those Indians could serve as his reference letter. The backlash was swift, with one social media user commenting, 'Is this how you give references? Don't worry, Indians will survive, you won't.'
Background of the Controversy
Nejatian had shared a letter he sent to his 250 Indian employees in India, informing them that Opendoor's India operations were winding down. Along with the letter, he added a note intended for US employers with a presence in India: 'If you are hiring and have a presence in India, they are excellent people. Consider this my reference letter and hire them.' The note was meant to help the displaced workers find new opportunities.
However, the gesture did not sit well with many. Bengaluru-based founder Tarun Firodiya asked Nejatian for a list of the affected employees, but the overall reaction on social media remained largely negative. Americans criticized Nejatian for sympathizing with Indians, whom they blame for taking American jobs, while Indians felt the compliment was backhanded and insincere.
Who is Kaz Nejatian?
Kaz Nejatian is a Canadian technology executive, entrepreneur, and former lawyer. He is best known for his leadership roles at Shopify and Opendoor. Nejatian studied business at Queen's University and later earned a law degree from the University of Toronto Faculty of Law. Early in his career, he practiced law before transitioning into technology and entrepreneurship. He co-founded a payments startup called Kash, which was acquired in 2017. Following that, he worked on payments and billing products at Meta (then Facebook). Nejatian joined Shopify in 2019 and became the CEO of Opendoor in 2025.
Nejatian was born in Iran and grew up there, but he renounced his Iranian citizenship at the age of 17 and became a Canadian citizen. He also has a maple leaf tattoo, symbolizing his Canadian identity.
Mixed Reactions on Social Media
The controversy highlights the complex dynamics of global employment and nationalism. While Nejatian's intent may have been to assist the laid-off workers, the execution sparked a debate about corporate responsibility and cultural sensitivity. The incident serves as a reminder of how quickly well-meaning gestures can be misinterpreted in the polarized world of social media.
