UK VC defends 7-day work week: 'If you want to be a $10 billion company, you can’t do it on a 9-5'

In June, London-based startup founder and VC Harry Stebbings's LinkedIn advice that '7 days a week is the required velocity to win right now' went viral, much to his surprise. (Image credit: LinkedIn)

London-based venture capitalist Harry Stebbings, founder of the $650 million fund 20VC, who had in June pushed for seven-day work weeks for European startup founders, has defended his controversial stance, arguing it's the "required velocity to win right now" against global competitors in Silicon Valley and China. His initial LinkedIn post urging founders to work non-stop sparked a wave of backlash across Europe.

Last month, Stebbings' LinkedIn advice that "7 days a week is the required velocity to win right now" went viral, much to his surprise. The post ignited a heated debate about whether Europe needs to adopt a brutal work culture, akin to China's "996" model (9 am to 9 pm, six days a week), to compete effectively. This conversation is rooted in a persistent stereotype that Europe's tech and startup scene lags behind the US and China, which are home to trillion-dollar tech giants like Meta, Google, Amazon, Apple, Baidu, Alibaba, and Tencent, all known for their demanding work environments.

Speaking to CNBC Make It about the fallout, Stebbings admitted he was unprepared for the criticism. He contended that the backlash itself highlighted a fundamental issue in Europe. "I think it’s everything that’s wrong with Europe, that backlash," Stebbings asserted. "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 doubled down on his argument, stating that the intense work ethic is a reality in leading tech hubs. "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," Stebbings explained. "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."

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