In 2021, just before Christmas, 900 employees of Better.com were fired in a three-minute Zoom call by one Indian-American, Vishal Garg. Nearly five years later, on August 3, 2026, he was removed as CEO after the board of Better unanimously voted to terminate him.

Garg is now trying his best to return to an executive role in the company, which he founded in 2014.

The company’s account has been changed since August 14. Garg’s termination came after the board raised concerns about his ‘judgment, temperament and credibility’ regarding his decisions and actions related to Better.

Daniel Lewis, a hedge-fund manager, who had joined Better recently, has been named interim CEO.

When Garg said the employment of 900 employees was terminated ‘effective immediately’, and took time away from the company, the board had to undertake leadership and cultural assessment. On his return, Garg said he had mishandled the situation and apologised for the way the layoffs were communicated. Nothing more.

Since then, Better’s losses have remained substantial. Yet, Garg is refusing to take his dismissal quietly. He has offered to work for $1 a year to enable the company to return to profitability. He has also hired high-profile lawyer Alex Spiro to help reclaim his CEO position. – editor@nrifocus.com