Andrew Feldman, cofounder and CEO of AI chip company Cerebras, valued at $49.5 billion, stated that working a 38-hour week while expecting work-life balance is unrealistic for achieving major business success. Feldman made these remarks on the 20VC podcast last year, emphasizing that intense work schedules are essential for those aiming to launch groundbreaking products or unicorn startups, according to fortune.com.
Feldman argued that the idea of achieving greatness through part-time or moderate hours is “mind-boggling.” He highlighted that while professionals can maintain a 40-hour workweek and still find happiness, they are unlikely to be the ones building transformative companies or technologies. His comments align with other Silicon Valley leaders like Google cofounder Sergey Brin and investor Kevin O’Leary, who also stress the importance of relentless effort to reach the top tiers of business.
This perspective contrasts with growing trends among U.S. workers advocating for shorter workweeks and better work-life balance. Feldman’s stance underscores a persistent culture among some founders and CEOs who believe that extraordinary success requires dedicating “every waking minute” rather than conventional hours. Cerebras, a major player in AI hardware, exemplifies this high-intensity approach in a sector known for rapid innovation and fierce competition.
Feldman’s remarks were part of a broader discussion on the 20VC podcast last year, where he stressed that building something new and great demands full-time commitment. Cerebras’ valuation at $49.5 billion reflects the scale of ambition and effort behind the company’s growth, illustrating the stakes involved in the AI chip industry.