An exchange between an Indian startup founder and a prospective Chinese distribution partner has reopened debate on work culture and productivity in India’s startup community, highlighting contrasting perspectives on work-life balance as founders deepen cross-border partnerships.
Shubham Mishra, co-founder of EV Doctor and a lead at Energy AI Labs, shared on X that he recently spoke with a Chinese entrepreneur who is set to become an official distributor for his company’s battery-testing solution in China. The collaboration will enable Chinese electric-vehicle firms to adopt an Indian testing product, marking a significant step in India–China startup cooperation.
A direct reply that cut through the debate
Asked what distinguishes Indian founders from their Chinese counterparts, the Chinese entrepreneur gave a terse, pragmatic answer: “We don’t believe in work-life balance and its online debates. There’s only two things: work time or personal time.” Mishra characterised the response as “simple, raw, and brutally practical,” noting that while work-life balance is a growing topic of conversation in India, some international peers prioritise execution above philosophical debate.
The remark struck a chord among founders and tech professionals. Many interpreted it not as dismissal of wellbeing, but as an insistence on clear boundaries and focused effort: when it’s work time, commit fully; when it’s personal time, disengage completely.
Reactions from the startup community
Responses to Mishra’s post ranged from agreement to critique. Several commentators argued that online discussions around balance can overcomplicate practical choices about time and priorities. Others emphasised that cultural norms, family structures and economic pressures shape how countries and individuals approach ambition, rest and responsibility.
In India, conversations about burnout, mental health and flexible working arrangements have accelerated since the pandemic, reshaping expectations around hours, remote work and employee support. Against this background, the Chinese entrepreneur’s binary framing felt striking because it bypassed many of the nuanced debates taking place in India.
Implications for Indian startups
The episode underscores the differing management philosophies startups encounter as they scale internationally. Indian founders expanding overseas must navigate not only market and regulatory differences but also divergent workplace cultures and priorities.
For many Indian entrepreneurs, the takeaway may be to balance two objectives: preserve dialogue on sustainable work practices and wellbeing, while also adopting the disciplined focus and execution-oriented habits that can accelerate growth. The Chinese viewpoint shared by Mishra highlights how decisive execution and clarity of time use can be viewed as core drivers of rapid business progress.
India’s startup ecosystem continues to evolve toward models that aim for both high performance and long-term resilience. As cross-border collaboration increases, candid exchanges like this one can help founders better understand differing expectations around productivity, ambition and personal life—insights that are increasingly valuable when building and scaling global ventures.
