Applied Intuition is worth $15 billion. The CEO still wants staff to clean their own office.

In the bustling landscape of Silicon Valley, where many startups thrive on venture capital and lavish perks, Applied Intuition stands out with its unconventional approach to workplace culture. This multi-billion-dollar company, specializing in AI software for automotive and aerospace applications, has a unique policy that encourages employees to take personal responsibility for their workspace. CEO Qasar Younis shared insights during a recent episode of "Lenny's Podcast," revealing that visitors often marvel at the cleanliness of their office, mistakenly assuming a large cleaning staff is behind it. In reality, Younis explained, employees engage in a weekly ritual called "cleaning zen," where they scrub their own workspaces rather than relying on janitorial services. Additionally, staff members are encouraged to remove their shoes upon entering the office. This practice draws inspiration from Younis's experiences in Japan, where students traditionally clean their classrooms. He believes this fosters humility and awareness among individuals. The CEO noted that this culture of orderliness extends to their engineering practices, stating, "Our employees are aware of their surroundings. I think there's a direct line between being quiet and alone and cleaning your desk — and well-written software." Younis emphasized that their approach is a thoughtful integration of various cultural influences rather than mere quirkiness. Echoing the sentiments of Steve Jobs, he pointed out that the essence of learning from others is often misconstrued. "What he's really talking about is the less magnanimous version of that, to be humble and learn from everything around you," he remarked. Founded in 2017, Applied Intuition has attracted significant venture capital, including a notable $600 million Series F round in June 2025, which brought its valuation to an impressive $15 billion. The company collaborates with major manufacturers like Toyota and Volkswagen to enhance autonomous driving technologies, as well as contributing to defense projects.