Work Culture Controversy: Bengaluru Startup Founder Sparks Debate Over 12-Hour Shifts

A recent social media post by Mohan Kumar, co-founder of Bengaluru-based mobile gaming startup Matiks, has reignited debate around hustle culture in India’s startup ecosystem. Kumar shared on X (formerly Twitter) that his team follows a strict routine of 12-hour workdays, six days a week, often extending work into Sundays.

“We have strict office timing of 10 am to 10 pm and 6 days a week. Still, our team members work beyond 10 and on Sundays as well,” Kumar wrote.

The post quickly went viral, sparking both admiration and criticism online. While some applauded the team’s dedication to building a product from scratch, others raised red flags about burnout, toxic productivity, and lack of work-life balance.

‘Not a Job, But a Mission’

In a follow-up interview, Kumar defended his stance, saying the company views employees as "founding members on a shared mission," rather than regular staff.

“We’re not building something for paychecks or survival. This isn’t a job—it’s a dream we’re chasing. Of course, not everyone resonates with that mindset,” he explained.

He further encouraged a “building mindset” over a “job mindset,” stating that creating India’s first global product requires full commitment from every team member.

Backlash and Clarification

Following widespread backlash and accusations of promoting exploitative work culture, Kumar deleted his original post and shared a more casual update:

“Guys, chill, no one comes in at 10:00 am. We play poker and watch Netflix together in the office. We’re all fresh out of college, building our careers and lives from scratch.”

He emphasized the camaraderie in the workplace and clarified that team members voluntarily invest extra hours, motivated by shared goals, not compulsion.

Mixed Reactions Online

The post drew polarized reactions. One user commented, “Ragebait, they know how to farm engagement for their math app.” Another said, “What’s wrong with people wanting to give their time to something meaningful? Let them hustle while they can.”

Others, however, expressed concerns about setting dangerous precedents in a country already grappling with poor work-life boundaries, especially in tech startups.

The Bigger Picture

Kumar’s post taps into a larger cultural conversation around hustle culture versus sustainable work practices. As India’s startup landscape continues to grow, questions around employee well-being, mental health, and ethical leadership are becoming increasingly important.

While Matiks may be chasing big dreams, the debate it sparked serves as a reminder that how companies build their success stories matters just as much as the success itself.