This is the Way... To Burnout? Europe's Startup Scene Debates the 996 Work Culture

I Have Spoken... About Overwork?

A Mandalorian doesn't usually meddle in the affairs of... startups. But this '996' business – 9am to 9pm six days a week? Sounds like a shift at a Beskar forge. Some shiny helmeted VCs are pushing for it in Europe claiming it's the only way to compete with the U.S. and China. I’ve seen droids with more chill than that. This is not the way. A Mandalorian works hard for the clan but even we know when to recharge our blasters.

Beskar Budgets and Hustle Porn

These money grabbers seem to think Europe is lagging behind but some say it's all 'hustle porn'. One founder Sarah Wernér said 'What Europe really needs isn't more hustle porn it's more aggressive funding.' I'll say. Beskar ain't cheap and neither is innovation. You need the right tools not just endless hours. Otherwise you're just polishing your helmet while the enemy gets away with the bounty.

Revolutions and Regulation

Nina Mohanty said there are actually 'lasting effects and unintended consequences' to adopting an aggressive overwork culture. She cited Revolut and the culture that they have is probably the closest that we've seen in Europe to the 996 culture and they struggled their churn rate was incredibly high within their team and they even struggled to get their banking license and their culture was actually cited as one of those reasons. Even the most powerful blasters need maintenance and so do people. And Noa Khamallah pointed out that there's "no need for 996" and that these values are often at odds with both the European mindset and regulation. Europe's more about innovation than just being overworked. It's about strategy not just blasting. I have spoken.

Let My Competitors Overwork Themselves

This reminds me of some Jawas I once dealt with – all hustle no brains. Sarah Wernér added that 'Overwork today is a productivity crisis tomorrow.' She even said 'Personally I hope my competitors are doing 996. It makes poaching great people a lot easier when they decide they've had enough.' I'd rather have a team of skilled hunters than a horde of tired Jawas. Dama Sathianathan says optimizing labor doesn't always lead to better productivity or help with differentiating from other companies long term if you've made work devoid of meaning. Wise words.

Gen Z: This is NOT the Way

The younglings these days…they've got their priorities straight. Jas Schembri Stothart said 996 will drive young talent away from European startups. 'People may tolerate overwork for a while but eventually it leads to churn and even resentment especially with Gen Z and younger millennials there's much less tolerance for toxic hustle cultures,' she says. They want balance a life outside the foundry. Can't say I blame them. Even Mandalorians need time to play with their foundlings.

More Funding Less Frustration

Founders insist that startups need more funding and resources to position themselves as key players in the global startup scene. Timothy Armoo says that timing is key 'I think there are seasons but I also think that if you are a first time founder or if your primary goal is basically wealth creation I'll be very candid if this is your season and you're stepping back then you're not serious about it.' Money talks and more of it would help these startups hire enough hands to do the job properly. Without it you're sending a lone Mandalorian against a legion of stormtroopers. It's a suicide mission. This is the way... to burnout.