Gen Z founders chasing startup success are getting bad advice about work hours, Shark Tank investor Kevin O’Leary Kevin O’Leary said this week. In an Instagram video featuring a flashy red cheetah-print top, he called out young entrepreneurs who push themselves to work 18 hours a day as illogical and counterproductive. “The worst advice I hear young founders talk about all the time is that they want to work 18 hours a day,” O’Leary said. “How stupid is that?”

His warning comes as Silicon Valley revives the notorious 996 schedule—9 a.m. to 9 p.m., six days a week—once banned in China. Critics say the trend glorifies overwork despite evidence it reduces efficiency and increases burnout. O’Leary, who built a $165 million fortune, argued that eating well, sleeping enough and maintaining personal time are key to sustainable success. “You’re not a hero, you’re a liability,” he told viewers, pushing back against the “hustle culture” narrative pushing Gen Z to sacrifice all for ambition.

Recent data shows the cost of extreme work habits. Studies link long hours to higher turnover, lower output and serious mental health risks. Yet the myth persists that founders must endure sleepless nights to build the next billion-dollar company. O’Leary isn’t alone in rejecting it. High-profile figures like actress Scarlett Johansson Scarlett Johansson have also spoken against the idea that work-life balance is impossible, calling it a myth that must be confronted.

The pushback isn’t just coming from investors. Silicon Valley veterans increasingly cite research showing productivity drops sharply after 50 hours per week. The 996 model, once common in China’s tech sector, was officially banned in 2021 after widespread protests and reports of severe health impacts. But in the U.S., the trend has resurfaced through social media challenges and motivational content aimed at young founders.

O’Leary’s advice reflects a growing generational divide. While some Gen Z founders still chase the “move fast and break things” ethos, others are prioritizing mental health and boundaries. This shift is evident in online communities and job market trends, where flexibility and well-being are becoming top priorities for new graduates and early-career professionals.

What happens next could reshape startup culture. As more founders and investors reject extreme schedules, companies may face pressure to redefine success. O’Leary’s stance adds to a broader conversation about sustainable entrepreneurship—one where ambition doesn’t come at the cost of health or happiness. For Gen Z founders listening, the message is clear: working 18-hour days isn’t a badge of honor—it’s a fast track to burnout.

What You Need to Know

  • Source: Fortune
  • Published: May 16, 2026 at 12:24 UTC
  • Category: Business
  • Topics: #fortune · #business · #economy · #war · #conflict · #shark-tank

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Curated by GlobalBR News · May 16, 2026

🇧🇷 Resumo em Português

O investidor bilionário Kevin O’Leary, conhecido por sua participação no programa Shark Tank, chocou a geração Z ao declarar que fundadores jovens que trabalham 18 horas por dia estão cometendo um erro grave. Para o empresário canadense, essa cultura de exaustão não só prejudica a saúde, como também afeta a produtividade e a lucratividade dos negócios, um alerta que ressoa especialmente em um Brasil onde a cultura do hustle vem ganhando força entre jovens empreendedores.

No contexto brasileiro, onde a taxa de empreendedorismo entre jovens cresceu 30% nos últimos cinco anos, segundo dados do Sebrae, a fala de O’Leary chega em um momento crucial. Enquanto muitos vêem no excesso de trabalho uma fórmula para o sucesso, especialistas alertam que a falta de equilíbrio pode levar ao esgotamento precoce e, consequentemente, ao abandono de projetos promissores. Além disso, o Brasil figura entre os países com maior número de horas trabalhadas anualmente, mas nem sempre isso se traduz em eficiência ou inovação.

Se a geração Z seguir o conselho de O’Leary, o mercado poderá testemunhar uma mudança de paradigma, com empreendedores priorizando qualidade de vida e resultados sustentáveis em vez de jornadas intermináveis.

🇪🇸 Resumen en Español

El inversor y conocido rostro de Shark Tank, Kevin O’Leary, ha sacudido el debate sobre el emprendimiento entre la Generación Z al tachar de “estúpido” la práctica de trabajar hasta 18 horas diarias, un fenómeno que, según él, amenaza la sostenibilidad de los negocios y la salud de los jóvenes.

En plena era de la cultura del hustle y el emprendimiento acelerado, O’Leary argumenta que este ritmo extremo no solo es insostenible, sino que refleja una desconexión con el equilibrio vital y la rentabilidad real de las startups. Para un público hispanohablante, acostumbrado a modelos de negocio más pragmáticos y a la creciente presión por el éxito rápido, su advertencia resuena como un llamado a repensar el sacrificio laboral en pos de una estrategia más inteligente, donde la eficiencia y la salud mental primen sobre las horas interminables.