This startup founder says he works 7 days a week, keeps a mattress in the office, and sleeps 3 hours a night

Nico Laqua, co-founder of the AI insurance startup Corgi, has made headlines for his extreme commitment to his company, which he claims includes working every day of the week and getting only three hours of sleep each night. Laqua, who launched Corgi in 2024, led the company to a remarkable unicorn status just months later, achieving a valuation of $1.3 billion in May, followed by a staggering $2.6 billion shortly after in a subsequent funding round. On a recent episode of the '20VC' podcast, Laqua discussed his dedication to the startup life, indicating a willingness to sacrifice personal health for business success. When asked by host Harry Stebbings whether he would prefer Corgi to become a trillion-dollar enterprise at the cost of his life at 50 or have the company fail and live to 80, Laqua's response was blunt: "I'm dying either way." This mindset reflects a growing trend in the tech industry, where many founders adopt what is often referred to as the '996' schedule—working from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. six days a week. Laqua, however, takes this to the next level, claiming he sleeps on a mattress in the office, which his employees have humorously dubbed "Nico's room." He mentioned that while he no longer spends every night at the office, he has struggled with finding suitable rest facilities nearby. Despite the potential for burnout, Laqua insists that higher productivity comes with longer hours. He believes that whatever can be achieved in five days can be exceeded in six or seven. "You should go all out," he stated, emphasizing the high-energy environment of startups in San Francisco, which often see full offices during weekends. While Corgi's employees do take days off occasionally, Laqua's philosophy seems to discourage a traditional weekend break. He noted that if someone expects to take Saturdays and Sundays off every week, they may not fit into the culture of Corgi. The fervent dedication to work has drawn mixed reactions, with some industry peers noting that this obsession could detract from personal growth outside of work. Laqua's approach has also drawn attention for the unusual fact that two-thirds of Corgi's initial team members have chosen to tattoo the company logo on their bodies, a statistic that has sparked debate online about the culture within startups. In discussing branding, Laqua emphasized that symbols hold significant power, a sentiment echoed by others in the industry. The commitment to Corgi and its brand identity showcases both the passion and the pressures that come with the modern startup landscape.