^{Photo: South China Morning Post}

The Rising Debate: Should Europe Work Like China to Compete?

Europe’s startup ecosystem has found itself at a cultural crossroads. A growing number of venture capitalists are pressuring founders to adopt the notorious “996” work culture—9 a.m. to 9 p.m., six days a week—in a bid to keep up with tech powerhouses in China and the U.S. But as this debate gains traction on platforms like LinkedIn, many European founders are pushing back, arguing that more hours don’t equate to better outcomes.

The conversation was reignited by Sebastian Becker, General Partner at Redalpine, who cited new proposals from German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to revise Germany’s labor laws. Merz proposed relaxing the legal daily work limit of eight hours, while maintaining a 40-hour weekly cap. For Becker, even that doesn’t go far enough.

“Silicon Valley thrives on 60 to 70-hour weeks. If Europe wants to keep up, we can’t pretend 40 hours will cut it,” Becker posted.

Index Ventures partner Martin Mignot added that 996, though rooted in China’s startup environment, is quietly becoming the global norm.

What Is 996 and Where Did It Come From?

China’s 996 culture—popularized by tech giants like Alibaba and ByteDance (the parent company of TikTok)—demands employees work 72 hours a week. Though praised by some executives as a symbol of commitment, it has sparked significant backlash. In 2019, protests erupted across China’s tech industry, and platforms like GitHub hosted petitions calling it exploitative.

In Europe, that kind of culture doesn’t align with legal frameworks or social values. In fact, when TikTok's work policies came to light, European tech professionals began declining interviews or resigning altogether. CNBC previously reported in 2021 that many European engineers cited burnout and lack of work-life balance as reasons for turning down roles at companies adopting the 996 model.

Why Many European Founders Are Saying “No”

CNBC interviewed seven startup founders and VCs across Europe, and the consensus was clear: glorifying overwork is not the path forward.

1. The Myth of Hustle Culture

“There’s a fetishization of overwork—it’s storytelling, not strategy,” said Suranga Chandratillake, General Partner at Balderton Capital.

He emphasized that while hard work is inevitable in startups, the glamorization of relentless labor often overlooks the importance of smart systems and sustainable pacing.

2. Toxic Culture Doesn’t Scale

Nina Mohanty, founder of Bloom Money and a Silicon Valley native, argued that companies like Revolut exemplify the downside of adopting an aggressive hustle mindset.

“Revolut’s internal churn rate was sky-high. Even their ability to obtain a banking license was hampered, in part, by cultural issues,” Mohanty said.

Revolut responded by stating they have evolved toward a “structured, value-driven, scalable culture.”

3. High Burnout, Low Loyalty

“Overwork today is a productivity crisis tomorrow,” said Sarah Wernér, co-founder of Husmus.

Wernér added that if competitors adopt 996, it’s a recruiting advantage for her. “When their top talent burns out, we’ll be here to hire them.”

Gen Z and Millennials Are Opting Out

Younger generations are not buying into old-school work expectations. Jas Schembri-Stothart, founder of Luna, a wellness app for teen girls, explained that Gen Z is less tolerant of hustle culture.

“996 might attract some talent initially, but it won’t keep them. Younger professionals prioritize mental health, flexibility, and meaning,” she said.

There’s a Bigger Problem Than Hours: Funding

Rather than encouraging 70-hour workweeks, many founders say Europe’s tech scene needs better capital access.

“This isn’t about hustle—it’s about headcount,” Wernér said. “A 10-person team can’t compete with a 50-person team just by working longer hours.”

According to Atomico’s 2024 State of European Tech Report, Europe missed out on $375 billion in growth-stage capital over the last decade. Moreover, 50% of startups seeking investment turn to U.S.-based firms, weakening local VC ecosystems.

“Without adequate funding, even the most ambitious founders will burn out,” added Schembri-Stothart.

Silicon Valley vs. European Values

European companies that dominate globally—like Spotify, ASML, and SAP—did so not by adopting toxic grind culture but by focusing on innovation and long-term sustainability.

Noa Khamallah of Don’t Quit Ventures highlighted how U.S. giants like Meta and Uber faced resistance when bringing their high-speed, high-pressure cultures into Europe.

“Worker protections, data privacy, and social responsibility aren’t optional in Europe. These values directly clash with 996 thinking.”

Efficiency in Moderation: The Balanced Founder View

Some founders acknowledge that startup life requires hustle—but not constantly.

Timothy Armoo, who sold his influencer marketing company Fanbytes for eight figures in 2022, admitted he supports intense work—within reason.

“There are seasons. When you’re early stage or raising capital, yes, work like hell. But that doesn’t mean working like that forever,” he said.

AI and automation, he added, have made it easier than ever to be highly productive without sacrificing every hour of personal life.

Final Word: Build Smarter, Not Harder

For Dion McKenzie, a Silicon Valley executive advising early-stage startups, the danger of normalizing 996 is that it creates barriers to entry.

“Not every great founder can afford to work 70+ hours a week—especially parents or caregivers. Making this the norm just narrows who gets to build.”

As European tech matures, the conversation is shifting. Rather than imitating Silicon Valley’s extremes or China’s labor intensity, leaders across the continent are pushing for smarter investment, inclusive ecosystems, and sustainability at scale.

Because in the end, building unicorns shouldn't come at the cost of burning out the people who build them.