Exa Labs, a Silicon Valley startup, is part of the resurgence of the hustle culture, particularly in Cerebral Valley, an area filled with early-stage AI startups. Wang argues that the nap pods are a natural extension of the startup's hacker house history, where employees live and work together. He believes that startup life requires an all-in commitment and that sleep is essential for productivity. However, he acknowledges that this lifestyle may not be suitable for everyone, especially those with families.
Key takeaways:
- Jeffrey Wang, cofounder of AI research startup Exa Labs, posted on social media about ordering affordable office nap pods, which unexpectedly went viral with over 100 people expressing interest.
- Exa Labs, a 10-person startup, was previously operating out of a hacker house where co-workers lived and worked together, and the nap pods are seen as a continuation of this culture.
- Wang believes that startup life requires total commitment and that sleep is essential for productivity, hence the need for nap pods in the office.
- Despite the popularity of the hustle culture in startups, the article suggests that there comes a point when such culture needs to be toned down for better project and employee management, especially when the team starts growing and includes people with families.