Latest news with #Stebbings
Business Insider
09-07-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
A 29-year-old VC founder sparked a debate after posting about a 7-day workweek. He shared his philosophy with us.
Harry Stebbings, the 29-year-old founder of 20VC,sparked an online debate when he posted on LinkedIn last month that "7 days a week is the required velocity to win right now." That's if "you want to build a $10 billion business," Stebbings added in an interview with Business Insider. "If you want to build a great business, fantastic. You don't need to work seven days a week. You don't need to absolutely burn the midnight oil," Stebbings said, adding that if you do want to build a $10 billion business, "my lord, you have to give it everything." The founder's post ended up fueling an online conversation about the comeback of China's controversial 996 culture. Despite being deemed illegal by the Chinese government in 2021, it's a practice of working from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. six days a week that appears to still be happening at certain companies. Some have criticized the schedule, which has previously been attributed to worker deaths. Stebbings said most of the backlash to his LinkedIn post came from European workers. Many American respondents, on the other hand, said a seven-day workweek was an obvious conclusion, Stebbings said. Promoting a 7-day workweek Stebbings, who has a 20-person firm, said there's nuance to what a seven-day workweek should look like. The founder said he's aware of his own limits and what it takes to maintain his energy. He urges his team to do the same by prioritizing stress relief, including working out during their lunch break. In addition to an hour in the gym in the morning and an hour of walking after work, Stebbings said he spends 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. having business meeting while walking in London's Hyde Park. He said he hits 30,000 steps every day, and walks a marathon with his mother everyweekend. While Stebbings said he supports people taking time off, in the last 11 years, he's only taken two vacations, both within the United Kingdom, where he's based. He typically works until around 1 a.m. each day, he said, with a break to walk and eat sushi — his first meal of the day — between 8:30 and 10:30 p.m. "When your brain is starved, you're much more alert because as an animal, we're like trained to be a lot more active and looking for food," Stebbings said. "And so, I find my alertness goes up a lot." His employees seem to share a similar mindset of prioritizing work. When Stebbings leaves the office at 8 p.m., he said the office is still full. "They get paid really well and they do the most meaningful work of their lives, right?" Stebbings said about his staff. "So they seem pretty happy." Stebbings said he believes that people feel happy when work is going well and they have momentum. He added that "winning" is one of the biggest ways to contribute to society, and harder work leads to a higher likelihood of winning. A short-term hustle While Stebbings prioritizes work and expects his employees to do the same, he doesn't necessarily promote living this lifestyle long-term. "You cannot work in this manner for more than three to five years," Stebbings said. "The most important thing to understand is when you are in your first three years, speed is your single biggest competitive advantage." Stebbings said his decision to work at this pace for over a decade is a personal choice. However, once someone is five or six years into a job, they've built efficiency processes and playbooks so that they can have more downtime and less intensity in their day-to-day, he said. Until then, Stebbings promotes working relentlessly for those who want to build a $10 billion business. "I think this is what everyone, especially in Europe, forgets. We are in a global war for efficiency and data," Stebbings said.
Time of India
08-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
It is not just Narayana Murthy: UK venture capitalist says a 7-day workweek is the price to ‘win' amid China's '996' culture
In a world where work-life balance is increasingly cherished, voices like Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy 's call for a 70-hour workweek have sparked outrage, and inspiration. But Murthy isn't the only one advocating for longer hours as the key to national or business transformation. Across the continent, another influential figure is echoing the sentiment, albeit with some nuance. Harry Stebbings , the 27-year-old British venture capitalist and founder of 20VC, surprised many in the startup ecosystem recently when he proclaimed that European founders needed to push harder. In a now-viral LinkedIn post from June, Stebbings said, '7 days a week is the required velocity to win right now,' citing the speed of startups in Silicon Valley and China as models to match. What followed was a wave of backlash — and a debate that refuses to die down. Europe vs. the '996' Culture At the heart of the controversy lies China's '996' work culture — shorthand for working 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., six days a week — long criticized for its punishing hours but often credited with powering tech titans like Alibaba, Tencent, and Baidu. Stebbings' comments revived questions about whether such intensity is essential to building globally competitive startups — especially in regions like Europe, often stereotyped as less aggressive in the startup race. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Xu hướng tủ lạnh 2025: Chọn lựa thông minh với giá cả hợp lý LocalPlan Tìm Ngay Undo Speaking to CNBC Make It , Stebbings clarified that he didn't expect his message to go viral, nor did he mean for it to apply to every professional. 'It's everything that's wrong with Europe, that backlash,' he said. 'Speed and the ability to move fast really determine success — especially in AI.' For him, expecting to build a $10 billion company on a 9-to-5, Monday-to-Friday model was, simply put, 'delusional.' But many disagree — and vocally so. Sarah Wernér, co-founder of Husmus, told CNBC that Europe doesn't need more 'hustle,' but rather more aggressive funding. 'If a team of 10 is burning out to keep up with a 50-person U.S. VC- or Chinese government-backed startup, the problem isn't their stamina, it's their cap table,' she added. To her, funding — not fatigue — is the core issue. You Might Also Like: 'Work 70 hours a week for your bosses until you are replaced by AI': Shark Tank trolls working professionals Work Harder, But Not Without Heart Yet, Stebbings, like Murthy, insists he isn't promoting burnout . 'There is nuance,' he said. 'I'm not saying miss dinner with friends or family or just sit at your desk all day.' He calls for 100% commitment, particularly in the early years of building a company, but emphasizes the importance of mental and physical well-being. Stebbings shared his own reality — spending Sundays walking marathons with his ailing mother who has multiple sclerosis, before heading back to work. 'It's important to turn off and have a couple of hours away from your computer.' Murthy, too, made similar remarks at the Indian Chamber of Commerce centenary event in Kolkata, reported by NDTV . While advocating a 70-hour workweek, he rooted his stance in national responsibility: 'If we are not in a position to work hard, then who will work hard?' Drawing from his experience in Paris in the 1970s and his disenchantment with socialism, Murthy spoke of embracing 'compassionate capitalism' — a system where entrepreneurship creates jobs, generates wealth, and pays taxes to build infrastructure and reduce poverty. Overwork or Overhype? Interestingly, both Murthy and Stebbings acknowledge the cultural context of their advice. While Murthy speaks of India's developmental needs, Stebbings calls out what he sees as Europe's complacency. Yet, he also questions the narrative of nonstop hustle in the U.S. 'Go into a WeWork in San Francisco at 7 p.m. — they're not all working like we see on social media,' he said. He admits that hustle culture is often 'over-glamorized' and even fetishized. However, for the top 0.01% of Silicon Valley, he insists, it's real — and relentless. Other voices, like Balderton Capital's Suranga Chandratillake, have countered this glorification of overwork. He told CNBC Make It that what we often see is 'a fetishization of overwork rather than smart work… it's a myth.' In his view, the storytelling and mythmaking around Silicon Valley startups have created unrealistic expectations about the path to success. You Might Also Like: Narayana Murthy vs Shark Tank India: Work 70 hours, don't build startups. Makers reveal the real pain of millionaire bosses A New Work Ethic; Or an Old Debate in New Packaging? Whether it's Murthy's rallying cry for young Indians to 'work hard to make India number one' or Stebbings urging European founders to outpace their American and Chinese peers, the message is clear: in their eyes, success doesn't come on a clocked-out schedule. But at what cost? And for whom? Both leaders acknowledge the importance of balance, but their emphasis on dedication — and the backlash it brings — shows how deeply divided the global workforce is over what ambition should look like in 2025. Is it 70-hour weeks and 'seven days to win'? Or is it smarter, more funded, more inclusive models of productivity? Perhaps the answer isn't binary. But what's certain is this: the conversation on how much we work — and why — isn't going away anytime soon. You Might Also Like: Narayana Murthy explains how India can overcome poverty with 70-hour workweek You Might Also Like: Narayan Murthy's 70-hour week is not about 'work or no work': Doctor explains the logic in R. Madhavan's podcast
Economic Times
08-07-2025
- Business
- Economic Times
It is not just Narayana Murthy: UK venture capitalist says a 7-day workweek is the price to ‘win' amid China's '996' culture
Venture capitalist Harry Stebbings (right) stirred debate after urging European founders to adopt intense work hours, drawing parallels to China's 996 culture. His remarks echoed Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy's (left) call for a 70-hour workweek. (Images: Agencies, LinkedIn) In a world where work-life balance is increasingly cherished, voices like Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy's call for a 70-hour workweek have sparked outrage, and inspiration. But Murthy isn't the only one advocating for longer hours as the key to national or business transformation. Across the continent, another influential figure is echoing the sentiment, albeit with some nuance. Harry Stebbings, the 27-year-old British venture capitalist and founder of 20VC, surprised many in the startup ecosystem recently when he proclaimed that European founders needed to push harder. In a now-viral LinkedIn post from June, Stebbings said, '7 days a week is the required velocity to win right now,' citing the speed of startups in Silicon Valley and China as models to match. What followed was a wave of backlash — and a debate that refuses to die down. At the heart of the controversy lies China's '996' work culture — shorthand for working 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., six days a week — long criticized for its punishing hours but often credited with powering tech titans like Alibaba, Tencent, and Baidu. Stebbings' comments revived questions about whether such intensity is essential to building globally competitive startups — especially in regions like Europe, often stereotyped as less aggressive in the startup race. Speaking to CNBC Make It , Stebbings clarified that he didn't expect his message to go viral, nor did he mean for it to apply to every professional. 'It's everything that's wrong with Europe, that backlash,' he said. 'Speed and the ability to move fast really determine success — especially in AI.' For him, expecting to build a $10 billion company on a 9-to-5, Monday-to-Friday model was, simply put, 'delusional.' But many disagree — and vocally so. Sarah Wernér, co-founder of Husmus, told CNBC that Europe doesn't need more 'hustle,' but rather more aggressive funding. 'If a team of 10 is burning out to keep up with a 50-person U.S. VC- or Chinese government-backed startup, the problem isn't their stamina, it's their cap table,' she added. To her, funding — not fatigue — is the core issue. Yet, Stebbings, like Murthy, insists he isn't promoting burnout. 'There is nuance,' he said. 'I'm not saying miss dinner with friends or family or just sit at your desk all day.' He calls for 100% commitment, particularly in the early years of building a company, but emphasizes the importance of mental and physical well-being. Stebbings shared his own reality — spending Sundays walking marathons with his ailing mother who has multiple sclerosis, before heading back to work. 'It's important to turn off and have a couple of hours away from your computer.' Murthy, too, made similar remarks at the Indian Chamber of Commerce centenary event in Kolkata, reported by NDTV . While advocating a 70-hour workweek, he rooted his stance in national responsibility: 'If we are not in a position to work hard, then who will work hard?' Drawing from his experience in Paris in the 1970s and his disenchantment with socialism, Murthy spoke of embracing 'compassionate capitalism' — a system where entrepreneurship creates jobs, generates wealth, and pays taxes to build infrastructure and reduce poverty. Interestingly, both Murthy and Stebbings acknowledge the cultural context of their advice. While Murthy speaks of India's developmental needs, Stebbings calls out what he sees as Europe's complacency. Yet, he also questions the narrative of nonstop hustle in the U.S. 'Go into a WeWork in San Francisco at 7 p.m. — they're not all working like we see on social media,' he said. He admits that hustle culture is often 'over-glamorized' and even fetishized. However, for the top 0.01% of Silicon Valley, he insists, it's real — and relentless. Other voices, like Balderton Capital's Suranga Chandratillake, have countered this glorification of overwork. He told CNBC Make It that what we often see is 'a fetishization of overwork rather than smart work… it's a myth.' In his view, the storytelling and mythmaking around Silicon Valley startups have created unrealistic expectations about the path to success. Whether it's Murthy's rallying cry for young Indians to 'work hard to make India number one' or Stebbings urging European founders to outpace their American and Chinese peers, the message is clear: in their eyes, success doesn't come on a clocked-out schedule. But at what cost? And for whom? Both leaders acknowledge the importance of balance, but their emphasis on dedication — and the backlash it brings — shows how deeply divided the global workforce is over what ambition should look like in 2025. Is it 70-hour weeks and 'seven days to win'? Or is it smarter, more funded, more inclusive models of productivity? Perhaps the answer isn't binary. But what's certain is this: the conversation on how much we work — and why — isn't going away anytime soon.
CNBC
08-07-2025
- Business
- CNBC
VC behind '996' work culture debate says 5-day weeks won't build billion-dollar startups
Venture capitalist Harry Stebbings faced a wave of backlash in June after urging European startup founders to increase their work hours — but he now admits there's some room for nuance when applying his mantra. Stebbings, founder of 20VC, a firm managing $650 million in funds, advised founders on LinkedIn last month that "7 days a week is the required velocity to win right now," to compete with startups in Silicon Valley and China. The post went viral, to Stebbings' surprise, and sparked a debate on whether China's brutal "996" work culture is needed in Europe. The conversation is rooted in a persistent stereotype that Europe's tech and startup scene is lagging behind the U.S. and China, which have produced trillion-dollar tech giants and are known for implementing long working hours. The U.S. is home to the biggest tech firms in the world, such as Meta, Google, Amazon, and Apple. China meanwhile houses giants like Baidu, Alibaba, and Tencent. Seven founders and VCs shared why they're resisting the 996 push with CNBC Make It at the time. "What Europe really needs isn't more hustle-porn, it's more aggressive funding," Sarah Wernér, co-founder of Husmus, said back then. Speaking to CNBC Make It about the fallout, Stebbings said that he wasn't prepared for the criticism he received, and that his original post didn't apply to the vast majority of people who responded. "I think it's everything that's wrong with Europe, that backlash," Stebbings said. "We are fighting against companies being built in Silicon Valley, and speed and the ability to move fast, really determines success, in AI especially." He added: "When you go to the Valley now, and when you go to China now, they are working seven days a week in the fastest-growing companies. It's that simple. So, if you want to be a $10 billion company in Europe, competing against them, you can't do it on a nine-to-five, Monday to Friday." As companies build more important products, Stebbings said the bar is higher than it used to be. "We should be working harder than ever because we're working to solve more important problems than ever," he said. But European startups are struggling to access funding at the growth stage. Atomico's State of European Tech report of 2024 showed that, since 2015, Europe's tech startups have missed out on nearly $375 billion in growth-stage funding, with founders losing out on a potential $300 billion in European investments. Husmus' Wernér said that the right level of capital is needed for European startups to work intensely without breaking themselves. "If a team of 10 is burning out to keep up with a 50-person U.S. VC or Chinese government-backed startup, the problem isn't their stamina, it's their cap table." However, Stebbings pinned this down to poor marketing and said Europeans aren't great fundraisers compared to their American counterparts. "I don't think it's a lack of access to cash at all, and in terms of the work ethic there, if you think that you can build a $10 billion business and work five days a week, then I'm sorry to say, you're deluding yourself." Some founders have even been "badly" advised to include exit slides in their pitches, he added. "That makes me feel sick, like I'm planning my divorce when I get married." In stark contrast, Americans are much better at telling exciting stories when they promote their businesses. "I think, often in the U.K., we downsize in ambitions." Ultimately, Stebbings admitted that he jokes with the "marketing facade" of 996, but that it's a more nuanced picture than working all the time. "I think that's [996] very ignorant to do," he said. "if you don't allow people breaks in there and a gym workout, it's just moronic." Stebbings said that 100% dedication is essential in the first five years — but that doesn't mean abandoning health, wellness, and family. "There is nuance. I'm not saying miss dinner with friends or family or just sit at your desk all day, and I'm some horrible person, absolutely not. It's really important to turn off and have a couple of hours away from your computer and just be with friends." Stebbings himself tries to spend as much time as possible with his sickly mother, who has multiple sclerosis (MS), including walking a marathon with her every Sunday. He jumps straight back to work after. But it's unrealistic to expect employees to adopt the same attitude, he acknowledged. "One of the hardest things about running a company is you will never find someone who cares about it as much as you do, the founder… I think it's unreasonable to ever expect that they will work as hard as you." Suranga Chandratillake, general partner at Balderton Capital, previously told CNBC Make It in June that the focus on hustle culture in the tech industry is about "a fetishization of overwork rather than smart work…it's a myth." He said: "California is very good at telling stories, and there's a lot of mythmaking around the concept of what startups look like." Stebbings now agrees with this view and said hustle culture is "over-glamorized" in the States. "If you go into a WeWork in San Francisco at 7 p.m., they're not all working like we see on social media... they overly pronounce it when it's not really true, but for the 0.01% in the Valley, it's so true, and they are there and working harder than ever."
