HYDERABAD: Multiple allegations have emerged against W.C. Anish Anthony, chief operating officer (COO) of T-Hub, the government’s start-up incubator. Accusations range from financial misconduct and vendor manipulation to harassment and unethical behaviour, casting a shadow over the leadership of one of India’s most prominent start-up ecosystems.
Several employees have accused Anthony of exploiting his position for personal gain. According to an employee that Deccan Chronicle spoke to, Anthony ensured that the same food catering vendor was hired for all T-Hub events and allegedly pocketed a 30 per cent commission from these transactions. This practice has led to a significant decline in the quality of services provided at T-Hub, once known for its vibrant and dynamic environment, the employee claimed.
According to other allegations, Anthony facilitated the onboarding of Saanchi Connect, a start-up that has reportedly been selling T-Hub’s proprietary information, for profit. A former employee who opposed this arrangement and tried to reach higher-ups was reportedly dismissed.
Similarly, Anthony is said to have signed contracts with Opposite Learning, a start-up that allegedly sold student alumni data to HR professionals in the city.
During Anthony’s tenure, T-Hub’s subscription fees for start-ups have skyrocketed. A start-up leader who wished to remain anonymous revealed, “We used to pay ₹30,000, but now we’re being charged `75,000 for every three months.”
Such steep increase across all domains has led to many people vacating what was once a busy co-working space, resulting in numerous empty seats.
The information and technology ministry’s directive that start-ups should not be charged has been blatantly ignored, further worsening the situation, sources said.
Anthony’s credentials have also come under scrutiny. He is listed as the co-founder of MyGate on LinkedIn, a claim publicly disputed by the actual founder of the company, employees said. This revelation has raised serious questions about the authenticity of his professional background and the process that led to his appointment at T-Hub.
The most distressing allegations pertain to Anthony’s personal conduct. Several women employees have come forward with accounts of harassment. One alleged, “During a discussion about the Kickstart programme, Anish attempted to touch me inappropriately and unbuttoned his shirt collar. Despite my objections, he persisted and later retaliated by stripping me of my responsibilities.”
These employees also reported that those who socialised with Anthony inappropriately received promotions and significant salary hikes. One woman shared, “Some employees who engaged with him socially in his cabin were promoted rapidly, which raises serious concerns about how T-Hub is being managed.”
The revelations have dealt a severe blow to T-Hub’s reputation. Notably, the founder of Skippi, a start-up that appeared on Shark Tank India, expressed frustration when T-Hub claimed credit for their success. The founder insisted that Skippi received no assistance from T-Hub, contrary to what was promoted on social media.
Additionally, it has been alleged that several promotional posts on T-Hub’s Instagram account are paid for and untrue, further damaging the credibility of the incubator.
Asked by Deccan Chronicle about the charges, Anthony denied favouring any vendor and claimed that some of the issues were not under his direct departmental purview. He also said he was not the co-founder of MyGate and had never claimed to be so. He added he was one of the first employees of that start-up.
He also denied seeking any undue favours from women or anybody, sexual or otherwise.
