A prominent tech entrepreneur and investor has drawn a hard line on remote work. Jason Lemkin, founder of the SaaS community SaaStr, says he will not invest in any startup unless the team is in the office six days a week.
Lemkin made his stance clear last month on the 20VC podcast. He said that in the age of AI, where startups can accomplish more with fewer people, the winning companies will not be collaborating on Zoom. They will be in the office on Saturdays.
Why six days in the office?
According to Lemkin, the demand is not about a lack of empathy. It is about survival. "I want small, high-paid teams that work in the office over six days a week," he said on the podcast. "I'm not interested in investing in anything else—I'm just not interested. And it's not because I don't have empathy, because they're going to fail."
Lemkin's view directly challenges the widespread shift to remote and hybrid work that followed the pandemic. Many companies have embraced flexible schedules, but Lemkin believes that for early-stage startups trying to win, that flexibility is a liability.
The AI factor in the office debate
Lemkin's argument comes at a time when business leaders like Jamie Dimon and Elon Musk have predicted that AI could lead to shorter workweeks or even a future where people do not need to work at all. Lemkin sees the opposite for startups that want to win.
He argues that as AI allows teams to do more with fewer people, the intensity of in-person collaboration becomes even more critical. Remote work, in his view, dilutes the speed and focus needed to outpace competitors.
"I want small, high-paid teams that work in the office over six days a week. I'm not interested in investing in anything else." — Jason Lemkin, on the 20VC podcast
Our Take: A controversial bet on intensity
Jason Lemkin's position is clear and uncompromising. He is betting that the future of startup success belongs to teams that are physically together, working long hours, and moving fast. In our view, this is a high-risk strategy that may work for some companies but will alienate many talented workers who value flexibility.
The debate over remote work is not new, but Lemkin's six-day requirement is an extreme position. While he frames it as a matter of survival, it also raises questions about burnout, work-life balance, and whether such intensity is sustainable over the long term. For founders seeking his investment, the choice is simple: commit to the office six days a week, or look elsewhere for funding.
