Imagine being told that if you want to build a $10 billion company in Europe, you have to work seven days a week! Yes, you read that right. Hari Stebbings, founder of the 20VC investment fund, sparked a firestorm when he told European startup founders on LinkedIn that they must commit 100% during the first five years, including working weekends, if they want to compete with Silicon Valley and China. Sounds like a recipe for burnout, right? But Stebbings insists this is the only way to succeed in a world where European startups struggle with lack of investment and poor marketing. He admits that American work culture is not ideal and often overhyped, but also warns that if you think you can build a billion-dollar business working 9 to 5, you’re fooling yourself. While emphasizing the importance of personal health and family, Stebbings leaves little room for rest. Is this really the future of work in Europe or just another myth pushing us to sacrifice everything for success? As the debate rages on, one thing is clear — work culture is changing, and the question is whether we can all keep up this pace. What do you think? Is it worth sacrificing weekends and free time for the dream of a big business? Or is it time to fight for a healthier balance? Drop a comment and let’s see who’s in and who’s out on this work madness!
