At a recent dinner with tech founders in their 20s, Jackson Stokes noticed most were just sipping their drinks. The atmosphere became awkward when a friend ordered hard liquor for the table.
"Even though it was Friday night, that wasn't what we wanted," said Stokes, the 26-year-old co-founder of TrainLoop. For him and his friends, a clear morning is more important, and liquor is a "hindrance."
The trend of Americans drinking less is not new. A 2023 Gallup poll showed that 62% of people under 35 drink alcohol, down sharply from 72% a decade ago.
In Silicon Valley, this trend is even more pronounced due to the demanding work culture. Long working hours leave young founders with little time for partying. The rise of health experts like Bryan Johnson and Andrew Huberman is also encouraging a new generation of entrepreneurs to abandon unhealthy habits.
Most of the 9 young founders interviewed by Business Insider have significantly reduced their alcohol consumption, some abstaining completely. Abstinence is gradually becoming a signal of dedication to work.
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Many tech founders in Silicon Valley are choosing a sober lifestyle to enhance work performance. Illustrative photo: B.I |
Chris Pisarski, whose company participated in Y Combinator's training program, noticed that the bar at the startup incubator's events was always empty. "I always found that astonishing," said Pisarski, who only drinks about one glass of wine per month.
Many explain that they need to maintain a high level of focus. Boris Skurikhin, 25, co-founder of In Docket, said young founders often talk about having to "lock in."
"It's a state of working long hours, putting aside social interactions and alcohol. Some people even commit to only spending time sleeping and working," he said.
According to Miranda Nover, co-founder of Fort, personal image is crucial. "You want to send the signal: We work 6 days a week until 9 p.m., no alcohol, no partying," she said.
Considering alcohol a "toxin," Cyril Gorlla, co-founder of CTGT, described his work week as lasting 80-90 hours. "We believe that 'the body is a temple' and alcohol hinders that," he said.
Health concerns are also a major reason. Founders show off their supplements and health-tracking smart rings. Many mention influencers like Bryan Johnson, the Braintree founder obsessed with longevity, who gave up his 3-ounce glass of wine per day simply because it contained 71 calories.
Kieran White, co-founder of Curo, who has quit drinking, compared founders to professional athletes: "You have to always be at peak performance." His colleague, Andrew Porter, still drinks but has cut back significantly, mainly at networking events. "I'm in grind mode," Porter affirmed.
The freewheeling party culture of early Facebook seems to have disappeared. Chloe Samaha, co-founder of Bond, said that at parties, many people hold sparkling water bottles instead of alcohol.
Gorlla compared this "sober" party culture to "intellectual dialogues."
"This is becoming a gathering place for intellectuals. A lot of work gets done, and we've even recruited people from these gatherings," he said.
Minh Phuong (According to Business Insider)
