Bengaluru Startup’s 12-Hour Workday Sparks Hustle Culture Debate
Bengaluru – A post by Matiks co-founder Mohan Kumar on X (formerly Twitter) has triggered an intense debate on hustle culture in India’s startup ecosystem. Kumar revealed that employees at his mobile gaming startup follow a 12-hour workday, six days a week, with some even logging in on Sundays.
“We have strict office timing of 10 am – 10 pm and 6 days a week. Still, our team members work beyond 10 and on Sundays as well,” wrote Kumar, adding that building a globally recognized product from India requires an “all-in” mindset.
Kumar’s statement drew both praise and criticism. While some admired the ambition, others questioned the sustainability of such long hours. “Almost no one can sustain peak IQ bandwidth beyond 40-50 hours a week,” one critic responded on social media.
Responding to backlash, Kumar clarified that employees at Matiks are not “forced” to work extended hours. He emphasized that the team, mostly under the age of 25, works out of passion and a shared mission rather than traditional job expectations.
“We don’t look at our team as employees. We see them as founding members,” he told HT.com. “It’s not a job — it’s a dream we’re chasing together.”
He also shared a photo of a makeshift bed inside the office conference room, hinting at the long working hours. Despite the intense schedule, Kumar said the office culture includes casual evenings, team outings, and shared meals that feel more like group projects in college than rigid work.
Kumar’s comments reflect a growing divide in India’s tech sector — between traditional work-life balance advocates and new-age founders promoting extreme dedication in pursuit of innovation.
