An artificial intelligence start-up is making headlines for an employee benefit rarely seen in the corporate world. New York-based AI sales software company Rilla spends around $1.7 million every year on housing stipends, helping employees live near its headquarters in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, one of America's most expensive neighbourhoods.

Rilla CEO Sebastian Jimenez spends around $37,000 annually on each of his 120 workers—and soon, they’ll get to enjoy an office gym and cold plunge.

AI startup Rilla spends $1.7m a year on housing stipends so staff live near its NYC office and work 72-hour weeks. The CEO says it's about flow, not comfort.