China’s grueling ‘996’ work culture is being debated by European startups — 7 founders and VCs on why they are resisting

There has been a recent debate on LinkedIn within the European startup community, with some venture capitalists urging founders to adopt China’s intense “996” work culture to stay competitive globally. This pushback against the 996 culture, known for its long hours, has been sparked by concerns raised by tech workers in Europe who are turning down opportunities upon learning about companies like TikTok enforcing such practices.

Sebastian Becker from Redalpine joined the conversation on LinkedIn, highlighting the need for more than the proposed 40-hour workweek to remain competitive, especially in comparison to Silicon Valley’s work ethic. Martin Mignot from Index Ventures also noted how 996 has become normalized in the startup ecosystem globally.

Despite calls for Europe to embrace the 996 culture, there has been resistance from European startup founders and VCs who believe that overworking is not synonymous with productivity. They argue that sustainable innovation cultures, rather than extreme work hours, have been key to the success of European companies like Spotify and SAP.

Founders emphasized the importance of funding and resources over increased working hours to strengthen Europe’s startup ecosystem. They pointed out that Europe has missed out on significant growth-stage funding, with many companies seeking capital from the U.S. rather than within Europe. The need for access to resources like funding, talent, and support was highlighted to foster innovation and scale effectively.

While acknowledging the need for dedication and hard work in startups, founders stressed the importance of maintaining a balance and not exploiting their teams. They recognized that the startup journey requires hustle but cautioned against glorifying overwork and pushing employees to their breaking point. Concerns were also raised that the promotion of a 996 culture could exclude founders who prioritize their mental health or have caregiving responsibilities from accessing vital VC funding.