I followed the Chinese playbook for success, then quit Meta for startup life. It feels like being on-call 24/7.

Amidst an evolving economy, many workers find themselves at a crossroads between stability and risk. Yuhao Xu, a former engineer at Meta and the co-founder of Kuse, an AI-driven visual workspace, reflects on his journey from the comforts of a major tech firm to the unpredictable world of startups. Xu's academic background includes studying computer science at Zhejiang University, one of China's premier institutions. Like many of his peers, he was drawn to the ambition of studying in the United States, aiming for a coveted position in Silicon Valley's tech giants. In cultures where job security and status are highly prized, landing a stable job is often seen as the ultimate achievement. After pursuing graduate studies in software engineering at Carnegie Mellon University, Xu interned at Google before joining Meta in 2018, where he worked on optimizing user experiences in the Facebook app. His time at these big tech companies provided him with invaluable skills in product scaling and cross-cultural collaboration. His early projects at Facebook, such as enhancing a key user interface feature, demonstrated how small changes could result in significant financial gains for the company. However, as he navigated his role, Xu began to notice a stark contrast between the pace of innovation at large corporations and that at startups. While large enterprises focus heavily on optimizing existing metrics, he felt that true frontier innovation was often stifled. In 2021, Xu returned to China and took up a position with SmartNews, a Japanese startup, before co-founding Kuse in 2024. The shift to entrepreneurship wasn't without sacrifices; he left behind financial security and the predictability of corporate life. Nevertheless, his family supported his decision to pursue his entrepreneurial dreams. Today, Xu advises young professionals to think carefully before diving into the startup world, as the associated pressures can be immense, affecting both personal and professional relationships. While many of his former classmates thrive in stable positions at big tech companies, Xu embraces the constant uncertainty of startup life, which often feels like being on call around the clock. The recent fluctuations in the global economy have prompted divergent paths within the Chinese community. Some individuals are increasingly willing to take risks, while others prefer the safety of traditional employment. Xu notes that the barriers to launching a startup have diminished, particularly with the advent of AI, making it easier for aspiring entrepreneurs to enter the space. In a world where everything can be reimagined through AI, Xu’s journey underscores the shift in mindset among young professionals. The landscape may be risky and tumultuous, but the pursuit of innovation and personal fulfillment drives many to take the plunge into entrepreneurship.