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

Key Takeaways:

• European venture capitalists sparked debate by suggesting startups adopt China’s ‘996’ overwork culture.
• Founders and investors argue that overworking harms productivity, talent retention, and company culture.
• Europe has produced successful tech companies without resorting to extreme work hours.
• Adopting ‘996’ may conflict with European values, regulations, and the expectations of younger generations.
• Access to funding and resources is seen as more critical for competitiveness than longer working hours.

The Debate Over ‘996’ in Europe

The European startup scene is embroiled in a heated debate over whether adopting China’s grueling ‘996’ work culture is necessary to compete on the global stage. The ‘996’ schedule—working from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., six days a week—is widespread among Chinese tech giants like Alibaba and TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance. However, European founders and venture capitalists are pushing back against the notion that overworking is the key to success.

Calls for Longer Hours

Sebastian Becker, general partner at Switzerland-based venture capital firm Redalpine, ignited the discussion with a LinkedIn post addressing German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s proposal to remove Germany’s legal eight-hour workday limit while maintaining a 40-hour workweek.

“Forty hours a week won’t cut it,” Becker asserted. “In Silicon Valley, 60-70 hour weeks aren’t the exception—they even have a term for it: 996—9 a.m. to 9 p.m., six days a week… We can have the same amount of smart, ambitious people, but if we’re consistently being outworked, we won’t win.”

Similarly, Martin Mignot, a partner at Index Ventures in London, noted that ‘996’ originated in China and has “quietly become the norm” at startups internationally, implying European startups might need to follow suit to remain competitive.

Resistance from Founders and VCs

Despite these calls, many European entrepreneurs and investors disagree. Suranga Chandratillake, general partner at Balderton Capital, refuted the notion that Europe is lagging behind. “The European tech market and ecosystem is keeping up today with the U.S. and Asia,” he told CNBC Make It. He highlighted that Europe has produced companies valued over $10 billion, such as Klarna, Revolut, Wise, and Checkout.com, without adopting extreme work cultures.

Chandratillake criticized the “fetishization of overwork,” stating, “It’s about a fetishization of overwork rather than smart work… It’s a myth.” He believes that while hard work is essential, it doesn’t necessitate unsustainable hours.

Nina Mohanty, founder of London-based Bloom Money and a Silicon Valley native, warned of the “lasting effects and unintended consequences” of overwork. Citing Revolut’s high employee turnover and struggles to secure a banking license—where company culture was reportedly a factor—she emphasized the pitfalls of embracing ‘996.’

Cultural and Regulatory Clashes

Noa Khamallah, general partner at Don’t Quit Ventures, pointed out that overwork cultures often clash with European values and regulations. “Europe’s most successful companies—from Spotify to SAP to ASML—didn’t achieve dominance through overwork but through sustainable innovation cultures,” he said.

He also noted that Silicon Valley companies like Uber and Meta faced massive regulatory pushback when expanding into Europe. “These examples reveal how Silicon Valley’s ‘move fast and break things’ ethos often breaks against European values around worker rights, privacy, and sustainable business practices,” Khamallah explained.

Younger Generations Seek Balance

The expectations of younger workers further challenge the adoption of ‘996.’ “People may tolerate overwork for a while, but eventually it leads to churn and even resentment,” said Jas Schembri-Stothart, founder of Luna, a health and wellness app for teen girls. “Especially with Gen Z and younger millennials, there’s much less tolerance for toxic hustle cultures.”

Sarah Wernér, co-founder of Husmus, echoed this sentiment: “Overwork today is a productivity crisis tomorrow. Personally, I hope my competitors are doing 996. It makes poaching great people a lot easier when they decide they’ve had enough.”

A Call for Resources, Not Overwork

Many founders argue that to enhance competitiveness, European startups need better access to funding and resources rather than longer working hours. “What Europe really needs isn’t more hustle-porn; it’s more aggressive funding,” Wernér stated. She highlighted that since 2015, European tech startups have missed out on nearly $375 billion in growth-stage funding, according to Atomico’s State of European Tech report published in 2024.

Schembri-Stothart added, “The venture landscape in the U.S. is a different ballgame altogether, and it’s tough to compete with that without a stronger ecosystem here.”

Finding a Balance

While acknowledging that startup life can require intense effort, some founders advocate for a more nuanced approach. “There are seasons,” said Timothy Armoo, co-founder and former CEO of Fanbytes. He believes that while periods of hard work are necessary, it’s crucial to avoid long-term overwork that can lead to burnout.

Bloom Money’s Mohanty admitted, “When I’m not sleeping, I’m working.” However, she emphasized the importance of not imposing the same expectations on her team. “It’s my choice to work at the weekend, but I’d never expect that of my team. It’s definitely not glorified to push your teams to breaking point.”

Conclusion

The consensus among many European startup leaders is clear: sustainable practices, employee well-being, and sufficient resources are more valuable than adopting an extreme overwork culture. As the debate continues, the European tech scene appears committed to forging its own path—one that fosters innovation without sacrificing the quality of life.