Summary:
Karri Saarinen, CEO of Linear, rejects Silicon Valley's 996 work schedule and hustle culture, prioritizing work-life balance for his team.
Linear is a remote company valued at $1.25 billion, offering five weeks of paid time off and four months of parental leave to its 100 employees across 10 time zones.
The startup focuses on quality over quantity, with tools used by over 2,000 companies including OpenAI and Block, and has been profitable for four years.
Saarinen practices what he preaches, starting his day with family and working standard hours, contrasting with proponents of in-person work like former Google CEO Eric Schmidt.
Linear's slow hiring and autonomous culture have led to sustained growth and profitability, proving that great products come from fulfilled lives, not constant hustle.
The CEO Who Says 'No' to the 996 Grind
Karri Saarinen, the 38-year-old CEO of project management startup Linear, is challenging Silicon Valley's notorious hustle culture—and his company's $1.25 billion valuation proves it's working. In a recent interview, Saarinen dismissed the 996 work schedule (9 a.m. to 9 p.m., six days a week) as ineffective, stating, "We haven't implemented that kind of culture, and I don't personally believe it produces the outcomes I want."
Linear's Remote-First Philosophy and Generous Perks
Linear operates as a remote company with 100 employees spread across 10 time zones, from the U.S. to Finland. The startup offers five weeks of paid time off per year and four months of paid parental leave, emphasizing that building a world-class tech business doesn't require sacrificing worker wellbeing. Saarinen explains, "With remote work and working from home, you have the ability to participate in family life as well."
Building a Profitable Business Without the Rush
Linear's core product includes project management and code review tools, used by over 2,000 companies like OpenAI, Cursor, and Block. The startup was valued at $1.25 billion in June after raising $82 million in a Series C round, bringing total funding to $134.2 million. Despite this growth, Saarinen prioritizes quality over quantity, noting, "People are rushing too much and launching things that don't quite work. In our company, we always try to err on the side of quality, not quantity."
The Personal Touch: Work-Life Balance in Action
Saarinen himself practices what he preaches. He starts his day playing with his 3-year-old son instead of commuting, logs on remotely at 8 a.m., and ends by 4 p.m., with occasional extra hours for emails. This approach contrasts with proponents of in-person work, like former Google CEO Eric Schmidt, who argue for office-based learning and tradeoffs between work and life.
Why Remote Work and Slow Hiring Pay Off
Linear was founded as a remote company in 2019, before the pandemic boom, allowing it to tap into global talent and let founders live where they want. Saarinen, based in Southern California, co-founded with team members in New York and Finland. The company's culture emphasizes autonomy, with flexible work hours and trust in employees' judgment.
By hiring slowly and deliberately, Linear avoided the pitfalls of hyper-growth, leading to profitability for the past four years. Saarinen says this financial independence lets the company control its own path without relying on external investors.
The Core Belief: Great Products Come from Fulfilled Lives
At the heart of Linear's success is the conviction that great products don't come from nonstop hustle but from a balanced life. Saarinen concludes, "If your life is a little more balanced, you'll feel happier, more fulfilled—and it shows in your work. You're not just grinding; you're inspired."
Karri Saarinen. Credit: Linear
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