A US-based Indian entrepreneur, Neha Suresh, founder of the AI voice assistant app April, recently sparked widespread debate after calling an 80-hour workweek a "baseline" for building a world-changing product. In a viral post on X (formerly Twitter), Suresh stated, “If you're not spending 14+ hours a day working on your dream, you're not going to make it (ngmi). You can't build a world-changing product on 9–5 energy. 80-hour weeks aren’t extreme. It’s baseline.”

Alongside her post, she shared a time-lapse video showing her working from early morning to night, emphasising the intense commitment she believes is required for success.

The post drew mixed reactions from the internet. While some admired her dedication and drive, many criticised the message as promoting an unsustainable and unhealthy work culture. Comments included concerns about burnout, work-life balance, and the feasibility of such long work hours for most people. Some argued that creativity and productivity often require rest and a balanced approach, contrasting with Suresh’s intense work ethic.

The conversation highlighted growing tensions about hustle culture and the pressure on startup founders, with some users warning against glorifying burnout and others defending the grind as necessary for building exceptional companies.

This debate comes in the context of broader discussions on work hours and sustainability in the startup ecosystem, with voices like Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy having advocated for long workweeks in the past, while others call for a more balanced approach.