Tech Leaders Condemn Push for 7-Day Work Weeks as Toxic
▼ Summary
– European tech leaders criticize the push for founders to work seven days a week, calling it “toxic” and unsustainable.
– VC Harry Stebbings advocates for a seven-day workweek, arguing it’s necessary to compete with Silicon Valley’s grind culture.
– Some investors, like Martin Mignot, endorse extreme work hours, citing China’s “996” (9am-9pm, six days a week) model as ideal.
– Critics, including founders like Amelia Miller, argue excessive hours lead to burnout and disadvantage those with caregiving responsibilities.
– A survey reveals many European founders already work over 60 hours weekly, challenging stereotypes about their work ethic.
The push for seven-day work weeks in Europe’s tech sector has sparked fierce backlash from industry leaders, with many condemning the idea as harmful and counterproductive. High-profile investors advocating for relentless work schedules face mounting criticism from founders who argue that sustainable success requires balance, not burnout.
Suranga Chandratillake, a general partner at Balderton Capital and former Blinkx CEO, dismissed the extreme work ethic as misguided. “Even elite athletes don’t sprint indefinitely—recovery is just as crucial as performance,” he remarked. His stance follows controversial statements from Harry Stebbings, founder of venture firm 20VC, who claimed European founders must adopt a seven-day work mentality to compete globally.
The debate intensified when Martin Mignot of Index Ventures praised China’s notorious “996” work culture—9 a.m. to 9 p.m., six days a week—as a benchmark for startups. But critics like Amelia Miller, co-founder of Ivee, slammed the rhetoric as “toxic and exclusionary,” arguing that such expectations penalize caregivers and perpetuate poor leadership. “Great founders prioritize efficiency, not exhaustion,” she countered.
Chandratillake also cautioned against taking advice from investors lacking operational experience. “CEOs shouldn’t let finance professionals without startup scars dictate their work habits,” he said, emphasizing that sustainable growth demands strategic pacing, not perpetual hustle.
The discussion reflects broader tensions in Europe’s tech ecosystem, where some believe cultural differences hinder competitiveness. Revolut CEO Nik Storonsky recently accused European founders of prioritizing work-life balance over ambition. Yet data from VC firm Antler reveals that 75% of surveyed founders log over 60 hours weekly, with nearly 20% exceeding 80 hours—challenging stereotypes about European work ethics.
While acknowledging that intense periods are sometimes necessary, Chandratillake stressed that long-term success hinges on endurance, not unsustainable sprints. The industry’s divide highlights a critical question: Should tech culture glorify grinding, or champion smarter, healthier paths to innovation?
For those shaping Europe’s tech future, the answer could redefine not just productivity, but the very definition of success.
(Source: The Next Web)
