996 Startup Culture

Let’s be real— every founder is different, some prefer work-life-balance others believe that it is critical to be onsite & work as quickly as possible. I’ve seen & worked in both of these environments. The new trend in startupland has been coined “996.”

But where did this whole 996 grind even start?? This work schedule—9 AM to 9 PM, six days a week—blew up in the early 2000s in China during the rapid rise of the tech industry. The intent? To keep up with skyrocketing demand and cutthroat competition. Many major corporations, like Alibaba and ByteDance, embraced it as an unofficial standard, pushing employees to work long hours in the name of growth and innovation.

Fast forward to today, the debate around six days is alive and well. Some argue that it’s a surefire way to lead to burn out, harming both health and well-being. Others believe it’s the key to success & growth—especially in the startup world, where moving fast can make or break a company.

At the end of the day, whether you choose to continue your 9-5 or fully immerse yourself in the grind, it’s up to you. Here’s my perspective as someone who’s been in this type of culture—multiple times.

I’ve done the six-day workweeks, the long nights, and the all-in mentality at a couple of startups. I got a decent amount of equity (one of which is still growing successfully), and I learned more about building an organization—and myself—than I ever could have in a traditional role.

Why We Do It?

You Love it

Not in a cultish way. Like real love & passion for the product or mission where you come together with like-minded individuals & enjoy the camaraderie. No matter the background, this group of individuals is your ride or die & you’re making things happen & having fun doing it. I’ve worked at seed to series A startups & Series C to public tech companies. Without a doubt, the earlier the stage the more exciting & exhilarating the work, because I got to work on harder on things with a more direct impact.

Intensity

They say you’re not growing if you don’t feel the pain - aka no pain no gain. And this is true. In the early stages, there are no playbooks or blueprints & you’re building something that hasn’t been done before. It’s a bit of a mental rollercoaster - you’re building the plane while you’re flying. You make massive strides & then you encounter significant setbacks. But I would rather have it this way than be bored, stagnant and/or not learning.

Impact/Ownership

In a startup, you don’t just do a job—you own a piece of it. Your work has a direct impact on the company’s success (or failure), and that kind of responsibility pushes you to level up fast. Unlike in big corporations, where your contributions might get lost in layers of bureaucracy, here, you can actually see the results of your effort. That’s a powerful feeling. The more you work the more potential upside is accelerated.

Escape Velocity (Potentially)

Not the main reason to do it, but let’s be real—it’s a possibility. If you play your cards right, work hard, and get in early enough with meaningful equity, there’s a shot at life-changing financial upside. Is it guaranteed? Nope. But the potential is there, and for some, that’s enough to make the grind worth it.

Future Founder

If you want to start your own thing someday, there’s no better training ground than an early-stage startup. You see what works, what doesn’t work, and how to navigate the chaos firsthand. You get a front-row seat to what it takes to build something from nothing—and that’s an education no MBA program can replicate.

Did I Face Any Burnout?

In short, no. Did I need to make sacrifices? Absolutely. I was in the right time & place in my life. I was paid the standard amount, learning, challenging myself & excited about the work I was doing. To me, those are the non-negotiables of joining a startup.

That’s the reality of an intense work culture. It’s not for everyone, but for those who thrive in it, the rewards—both personal and professional—can be massive. The key is knowing what you’re signing up for and making sure it aligns with what you want.

Would I do it again? For the right time & opportunity. Would I recommend it? Depends on what you’re looking for. But one thing’s for sure—if you choose to go all in, be all in. Otherwise, what’s the point?