Many Silicon Valley startups are moving away from the “work hard, play hard” culture that once defined the tech industry, replacing it with longer working hours and fewer social perks.
Recent job listings openly advertise seven-day workweeks and intense workloads. One example comes from Corgi, a Y Combinator-backed startup that recently raised $108 million, which asked applicants if they were willing to work every day. Such expectations are becoming common in San Francisco’s startup scene.
Founders and investors say office perks, parties and social events are no longer central to startup life. Instead, companies are focused on speed, execution and growth. Venture capitalist Kulveer Taggar says many founders now avoid alcohol and socialising, choosing to dedicate most of their time to work.
The shift is often compared to China’s “996” work culture, which involves working from morning to late evening, six days a week. Some founders say the schedule is a personal choice rather than a requirement. Octolane chief executive One Chowdhury says long hours are necessary to help young companies grow quickly.
Younger founders are also changing how they manage their personal lives. Many avoid alcohol, closely monitor their health and treat time as something to be carefully optimised. Several say they no longer seek work-life balance, focusing instead on building their companies.
This trend is especially visible among founders in their early twenties. Cyril Gorlla, co-founder of AI startup CTGT, says long hours feel natural when building a business from the ground up. He argues that success now depends more on personal drive than background or age.
Not all founders work extreme hours, but even those who prioritise health say the old party-focused culture has faded. DianaHR founder Upeka Bee says she works intensively while protecting her sleep and fitness, describing the trade-offs as unavoidable.
Observers say the new approach is not suitable for everyone. However, there is broad agreement that Silicon Valley startup culture has changed, with long hours increasingly seen as normal rather than exceptional.
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