Naval Ravikant Says His New Startup Demands 24/7 Dedication, Igniting Work Culture Debate
Sep 8, 2025 |
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Naval Ravikant, one of Silicon Valley's most respected angel investors and philosophers, has unveiled his new venture with a work culture demand that is sending shockwaves through the tech industry: he expects his employees to be working or thinking about work 24/7.
The bombshell statement came during a recent onstage interview where Ravikant, for the first time, publicly named his new company: the "Impossible Computer Company." He described a small, elite, in-person team of fewer than 20 people, but it was his unapologetic stance on work-life integration that has ignited a firestorm of debate.
"I expect them to always, 24/7, be either working or thinking about work because that's the same bar I hold myself to," Ravikant told the audience, explicitly outlining the intense, all-in culture he is building.
This philosophy is a stark departure from the tech industry's recent embrace of remote work, flexible hours, and employee wellness. Ravikant, a co-founder of AngelList and an early investor in giants like Uber and X (formerly Twitter), is doubling down on an old-school, high-intensity startup ethos.
He further detailed his demanding but high-reward approach to talent management:
Hire Slow, Fire Fast: Ravikant admitted that he now fires people "much faster" than in his previous companies, coupled with a much slower and more deliberate hiring process.
Pay Double, Expect 10x: His core rule for compensation and productivity is "pay twice as much but expect 10 times the output," emphasizing his search for exceptionally driven and high-impact individuals.
The revelation has been met with a mix of awe and alarm. Supporters see it as a refreshingly honest and necessary approach to building a truly groundbreaking company, arguing that world-changing innovation requires total dedication. They point to it as a return to the focused, mission-driven culture that defined Silicon Valley's golden era.
Critics, however, have blasted the expectation as a recipe for burnout and a toxic work environment. They argue that a "24/7" work culture is not only unhealthy but also counterproductive, leading to diminished creativity and a lack of diverse perspectives from people who have lives and interests outside of the office.
As the "Impossible Computer Company" begins its journey, it has already succeeded in one thing: forcing a raw and uncomfortable conversation about the true cost of ambition in the modern tech world. Whether Ravikant's uncompromising vision will attract the next generation of geniuses or repel them remains to be seen.
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