Elevate with Robert Glazer Elevate Classics: David Heinemeier Hansson's Radical Approach To Entrepreneurship
Jan 8, 2026
David Heinemeier Hansson, co-founder of Basecamp and creator of Ruby on Rails, dives deep into the essence of entrepreneurship. He emphasizes prioritizing profitability over relentless growth, shedding light on his unique part-time approach to productivity. David discusses how his Danish upbringing influenced work-life balance and critiques the obsession with VC funding. He reflects on AI's evolution, the importance of company culture, and the value of lifestyle businesses, all while advocating for humility in navigating today's polarized world.
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Balance Enables Long-Term Creativity
- Danish culture taught David that life should include hobbies, family, and time beyond work.
- He credits 37.5 hour weeks and balanced life for sustained creativity and long-term productivity.
Basecamp Began As A 10-Hour-Week Side Project
- David started Basecamp working only 10 hours a week while in school and finished the product in six months.
- That side-project later generated hundreds of millions and became their core business.
Boom-Bust Shaped A Different Path
- The dot-com boom and bust taught them to distrust VC-driven growth models.
- They chose slow, efficient scaling because they were uncomfortable with big risk and waste.
