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A fresh wave of debate has gripped the global startup community following remarks by prominent UK entrepreneur Harry Stebbings, who urged European founders to adopt a relentless "7 days a week" work ethic to remain globally competitive. Stebbings, who shared his views on LinkedIn, argued that "7 days a week is the required velocity to win right now," warning that startups in Europe are not just competing with local rivals, but with top-tier global innovators.

His comments have reignited scrutiny of China’s notorious "996" work culture—working from 9 am to 9 pm, six days a week. Venture capitalist Martin Mignot, based in New York, supported Stebbings’ stance, saying this model is already being embraced across the Western tech world. “Founders are no longer apologising for it,” Mignot noted, suggesting that intense work schedules are fast becoming the new norm.

Founders Embracing Intensity And Speed

Mignot shared examples of CEOs setting tough expectations. One founder reportedly tells potential hires: “We work 996. If you have hobbies that compete with this mission, you're not the right fit.” Another limit company-wide vacation to just two weeks a year, emphasising that fragmented productivity can hinder rapid growth. According to Mignot, this heightened pace is largely driven by AI's breakneck development and global opportunities, where every hour counts. “Any minute not working on your product is costly,” he stated.

He further pointed to a shortage of top-tier tech talent, making peak output from every employee a must. He also acknowledged that such grueling schedules often appeal most to young professionals without family obligations.

Push Back Against ‘Hustle Culture’

Not everyone agrees with this emerging philosophy. One LinkedIn user wrote, “Before we all sign up for the 7-day hustle, can we just take a beat and ask… what does winning even mean? When leaders I work with run at this pace, output might go up for a while, but quality always takes a hit, generally through a serious drop in creative thinking or through decision fatigue. The stuff that really moves the needle mostly shows up when your brain has space to breathe. So yes, intensity has a role. But without recovery, it’s a fast track to burnout, not brilliance. And that’s a dangerous game to play and promote.”

“Getting to an exit is 10-12 years - sometimes more. Are you proposing people work 7 days a week for this duration? Toxic advice. Work hard and work efficiently. Not taking breaks is reckless if you ask me,” added a second user.