20VC: Corgi Insurance: The Most Intense Workplace Culture in America: 7 Days Per Week, Founder Sleeps in Office, Corgi Cafe Open 24 Hours a Day, 60% of First 30 Employees Have Corgi Tattoos | The Journey from $0 to $2.6BN Valuation in Just 2 Years

Nico Laqua, co-founder and CEO of Corgi Insurance, advocates for an extreme, high-intensity workplace culture centered on winning and continuous growth. Operating on a seven-day work week, the company prioritizes total commitment, with Laqua personally living in the office to lead by example. This approach rejects traditional work-life balance in favor of building a world-historical company, viewing startups as a struggle for legitimacy where only the most aggressive, high-leverage strategies succeed. Laqua emphasizes that capital is not fungible and that hiring should focus on individuals who share this singular drive, often utilizing work trials to filter for intensity. By maintaining a 24/7 office cafe and avoiding distractions like angel investing, Corgi aims to solve the most difficult problems in highly regulated financial sectors, ultimately measuring success through impact and victory rather than longevity or traditional metrics.