London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Friday, May 30, 2025

Co-founder of $2B startup says he was fired for taking LSD at work

Co-founder of $2B startup says he was fired for taking LSD at work

The use of LSD as a creative accelerant and microdosing as a tool to focus has become increasingly popular, particularly in Silicon Valley

The co-founder and former CEO of $2 billion marketing startup Iterable says he was squeezed out of the company for taking LSD on the job.

San Francisco-based Iterable reportedly sent out a memo to staff on Monday announcing that co-founder Justin Zhu was fired for violating company policy, but Zhu told Bloomberg on Tuesday that the board ousted him for taking the psychedelic before a meeting in 2019.

Zhu told Bloomberg he was experimenting by taking a small amount of the psychedelic, or microdosing, to boost his focus. A representative for Iterable did not return the New York Post’s request for comment.

The use of LSD is illegal in the U.S. and the Drug Enforcement Agency classifies it as a Schedule I substance, which also includes marijuana, heroin and ecstasy. But the use of LSD as a creative accelerant and microdosing as a tool to focus has become increasingly popular, particularly in Silicon Valley, where Apple co-founder Steve Jobs spoke openly about his use of the drug.

Zhu, who previously worked at Google and Twitter, co-founded Iterable in 2013 along with Andrew Boni. By Wednesday morning, Iterable had removed Justin Zhu from the leadership team listed on its website and named Andrew Boni CEO.

Boni reportedly said in the memo to staff that Zhu’s 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."

Boni also praised Zhu as a "world-class innovator and creative thinker" whose "vision, creativity and passion will remain a core part of our culture."

The use of LSD as a creative accelerant and microdosing as a tool to focus has become increasingly popular, particularly in Silicon Valley.


Iterable provides marketing services to businesses. It’s rapidly expanded in recent years, making headlines in 2019 when it secured $60 million in funding from investors. Its roster of clients now includes heavyweights like DoorDash, Asics and Zillow, according to its website.

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Satirical Sketch Sparks Political Spouse Feud in South Korea
Indonesia Quarry Collapse Leaves Multiple Dead and Missing
South Korean Election Video Pulled Amid Misogyny Outcry
Asian Economies Shift Away from US Dollar Amid Trade Tensions
Netflix Investigates Allegations of On-Set Mistreatment in K-Drama Production
US Defence Chief Reaffirms Strong Ties with Singapore Amid Regional Tensions
Vietnam Faces Strategic Dilemma Over China's Mekong River Projects
Malaysia's First AI Preacher Sparks Debate on Islamic Principles
White House Press Secretary Criticizes Harvard Funding, Advocates for Vocational Training
France to Implement Nationwide Smoking Ban in Outdoor Spaces Frequented by Children
Meta and Anduril Collaborate on AI-Driven Military Augmented Reality Systems
Russia's Fossil Fuel Revenues Approach €900 Billion Since Ukraine Invasion
U.S. Justice Department Reduces American Bar Association's Role in Judicial Nominations
U.S. Department of Energy Unveils 'Doudna' Supercomputer to Advance AI Research
U.S. SEC Dismisses Lawsuit Against Binance Amid Regulatory Shift
Alcohol Industry Faces Increased Scrutiny Amid Health Concerns
Italy Faces Population Decline Amid Youth Emigration
U.S. Goods Imports Plunge Nearly 20% Amid Tariff Disruptions
OpenAI Faces Competition from Cheaper AI Rivals
Foreign Tax Provision in U.S. Budget Bill Alarms Investors
Trump Accuses China of Violating Trade Agreement
Gerry Adams Wins Libel Case Against BBC
Russia Accuses Serbia of Supplying Arms to Ukraine
EU Central Bank Pushes to Replace US Dollar with Euro as World’s Main Currency
Chinese Woman Dies After Being Forced to Visit Bank Despite Critical Illness
President Trump Grants Full Pardons to Reality TV Stars Todd and Julie Chrisley
Texas Enacts App Store Accountability Act Mandating Age Verification
U.S. Health Secretary Ends Select COVID-19 Vaccine Recommendations
Vatican Calls for Sustainable Tourism in 2025 Message
Trump Warns Putin Is 'Playing with Fire' Amid Escalating Ukraine Conflict
India and Pakistan Engage Trump-Linked Lobbyists to Influence U.S. Policy
U.S. Halts New Student Visa Interviews Amid Enhanced Security Measures
Trump Administration Cancels $100 Million in Federal Contracts with Harvard
SpaceX Starship Test Flight Ends in Failure, Mars Mission Timeline Uncertain
King Charles Affirms Canadian Sovereignty Amid U.S. Statehood Pressure
Trump Threatens 25% Tariff on iPhones Amid Dispute with Apple CEO
Putin's Helicopter Reportedly Targeted by Ukrainian Drones
Liverpool Car Ramming Incident Leaves Multiple Injured
Australia Faces Immigration Debate Following Labor Party Victory
Iranian Revolutionary Guard Founder Warns Against Trusting Regime in Nuclear Talks
Macron Dismisses Viral Video of Wife's Gesture as Playful Banter
Cleveland Clinic Study Questions Effectiveness of Recent Flu Vaccine
Netanyahu Accuses Starmer of Siding with Hamas
Junior Doctors Threaten Strike Over 4% Pay Offer
Labour MPs Urge Chancellor to Tax Wealthy Over Cutting Welfare
Publication of UK Child Poverty Strategy Delayed Until Autumn
France Detains UK Fishing Vessel Amid Post-Brexit Tensions
Calls Grow to Resume Syrian Asylum Claims in UK
Nigel Farage Pledges to Reinstate Winter Fuel Payments
Boris and Carrie Johnson Welcome Daughter Poppy
×