In Silicon Valley a growing number of young startup founders are cutting alcohol from their lives or drastically reducing their intake. While national drinking rates have been falling for years the Valley’s culture of long hours constant networking and health optimization is pushing the trend further.
Business Insider spoke with nine young founders who described everything from occasional social drinking to complete sobriety. For many it is not just about avoiding hangovers but signaling total dedication to building their companies. Some call it “locking in” which means working six days a week late into the evening with no distractions.
Several founders compare their lifestyle to professional athletes. Kieran White of Curo said constant performance demands mean treating the body like a temple. Others mention health influencers like Bryan Johnson and Andrew Huberman who promote cutting alcohol entirely. Even at networking events alcohol consumption is minimal with sparkling water often replacing beer or cocktails.
The shift is also partly regional. Founders said they drink more in New York than in San Francisco where wellness culture dominates. At house parties LaCroix cans have replaced red cups and conversations often lead to new hires or collaborations.
While some see this as a far cry from the party scene of the early Facebook days others believe it represents a smarter more sustainable version of startup culture where focus and health take priority over late nights and liquor.