Good night's rest is hard to come by: Entrepreneurs, startup founders plagued by sleep crisis

Hyderabad: A survey conducted by the Hyderabad-based Shri Ram Chandra Mission, in collaboration with nonprofit organization TiE Global, revealed that 55 per cent of startup founders and business leaders surveyed struggle with sleep.

The survey team interviewed 260 respondents from five major Indian cities—Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, and Pune.

The relentless demands of long hours, high-pressure decision-making, and financial uncertainties are contributing to increased stress and burnout, which in turn affect productivity and overall well-being. The respondents included over 200 entrepreneurs and startup founders, as well as more than 50 tech professionals.

Over 80 per cent of respondents surveyed admitted that poor sleep significantly impacts their job performance, concentration, and workplace relationships.

For entrepreneurs, however, the consequences are even more severe, with sleep deprivation impairing critical business functions like decision-making, creativity, and resilience—traits essential to business success.

Many entrepreneurs also reported frequent sleep disturbances, with 19 per cent rating their sleep quality as "poor" or "very poor." Additionally, more than 26 per cent of professionals are getting less than six hours of sleep per night, a problem that is even more pronounced among entrepreneurs.

Stress and anxiety have been identified as the leading causes of sleep difficulties, surpassing even the impact of screen exposure before bedtime.

"Sleep is not merely rest but a sacred journey—an opportunity for the mind, body, and soul to rejuvenate.

It is during sleep that the burdens of the ego loosen, allowing us to align with a deeper consciousness.

Entrepreneurs who cultivate healthy sleep practices will discover a profound shift—not only in their well-being but in their ability to lead with wisdom, creativity, and balance. In this state of deep rest, intuition strengthens, clarity emerges, and the mind awakens to greater possibilities," said Shri Ram Chandra Mission President, Daaji.

Half of the respondents reported moderate to elevated levels of stress and anxiety, with business pressures, funding challenges, and team management responsibilities contributing to elevated stress levels that make it difficult for entrepreneurs to unwind and achieve quality rest.

The relentless demands of long hours, high-pressure decision-making, and financial uncertainties are driving stress and burnout, impacting productivity and overall well-being.

"Entrepreneurs and startup founders often sacrifice sleep in their pursuit of success, but this survey highlights the tangible impact of sleep deprivation on productivity, decision-making, and overall performance," observed Chair of the TiE Global Board of Trustees, Murali Bukkapatnam.

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40 per cent report sleep difficulties due to restlessness, nightmares, stress, and environmental disturbances.

83 per cent of respondents use their phones before bedtime, impacting sleep quality.

Every second entrepreneur experiences moderate to elevated levels of stress and anxiety, further disrupting sleep.

1 in 4 entrepreneurs get less than six hours of sleep per night, falling below the recommended rest needed for peak performance.

4 in 5 professionals say poor sleep negatively affects their productivity, job performance, and workplace relationships.