In the crazy-fast world of entrepreneurship, longevity isn't just about health, it’s also about building sustainable businesses (MELA AI and Nutrition Coach AI are great examples of that, as they are projects that take longevity principles into account while addressing the problem of obesity in Malta, seeing as the obesity rate in Malta is concerning). Bryan Johnson, the renowned tech entrepreneur and founder of Braintree, has turned his focus toward health and longevity, coining an innovative approach: the 811 culture.
Johnson’s philosophy replaces the notorious 996 work schedule (9 AM to 9 PM, 6 days a week) with a more balanced framework: 8 hours of sleep, 1 hour of exercise, and 30 minutes of meditation every day. This approach ties seamlessly into building healthier individuals and healthier companies.
Johnson’s philosophy replaces the notorious 996 work schedule (9 AM to 9 PM, 6 days a week) with a more balanced framework: 8 hours of sleep, 1 hour of exercise, and 30 minutes of meditation every day. This approach ties seamlessly into building healthier individuals and healthier companies.
For entrepreneurs looking to apply Johnson’s lessons not only to their lives but also to their startups, this guide outlines seven actionable steps, with insights into health optimization, idea validation, success metrics, and business culture transformation.
Why Entrepreneurs Should Care About Longevity
Longevity is more than living longer, it's about living better and building businesses that last. According to a recent study startup survey, 72% of founders said burnout was their top risk factor for failure. With entrepreneurs spending 70+ hours a week working on their ideas, adopting a sustainable lifestyle like Johnson’s 811 culture can revolutionize not only their personal health but also how they lead their teams.
Step 1: Master Balanced Work-Life Routine Using 811 Culture
Bryan Johnson's 811 formula, 8 hours of sleep, 1 hour of exercise, and 30 minutes of meditation, can lead to improved productivity, creativity, and decision-making. Entrepreneurs can implement the 811 rule in two ways:
- Personal Routine: Prioritize restorative sleep, incorporate exercise for energy, and invest in mindfulness practices for mental clarity.
- Team Culture: Encourage work structures where employees can adopt similar habits, fostering a healthier and more productive environment.
Step 2: Build Smarter Startup Foundations in the SANDBOX
The Fe/male Switch SANDBOX helps entrepreneurs systematically validate their startup ideas. Modeled as a gamified educational tool, the SANDBOX breaks startup-building into actionable milestones:
- Identify a problem worth solving.
- Outline your startup concept.
- Validate your idea through AI-driven feedback like Elona Musk, the AI co-founder.
This structured framework prevents founders from wasting energy on unvalidated ideas, aligning with the longevity ethic of optimizing every step.
Step 3: Leverage AI Tools for Startup Success
Technology plays a pivotal role in achieving efficiency. Entrepreneurs in 2026 can benefit greatly from tools like PlayPal, the AI friend created by Fe/male Switch. Use PlayPal during startup building:
- Support: Need brainstorming? PlayPal generates ideas, answers questions, and even assists with formatting grant applications via EU tools like the Grant Finder and Application Writer (Discover EU Grant Tools for Startups).
- Feedback: Get advice based on your specific goals.
Step 4: Startups Don’t Just Work. They Solve Problems
Bryan Johnson emphasizes the importance of eliminating inefficiencies in life; this should extend to startups as well. Entrepreneurs can use problem validation tools to ensure they’re addressing real customer pain points.
For example, PlayPal in the SANDBOX validates problems before progressing to business creation. This avoids burnout down the line and sets startups up for longevity.
Step 5: Apply Smart Legal Strategies With the Startup Lawyer AI
As businesses mature, founders confront legal hurdles like contracts, conflict clauses, or shareholder agreements. Instead of relying on expensive legal advisors, early-stage startups can now use Startup Lawyer AI tools to navigate legal agreements while avoiding mistakes that could harm them in the future.
Step 6: Chase Non-Dilutive Funding for Business Longevity
A sustainable business thrives on smart financial planning. Johnson's Project Blueprint raised awareness about the importance of long-term investments. For entrepreneurs, non-dilutive funding, such as EU grants, can be a game-changer. With tools like the Grant Finder and Application Writer, startups can locate fitting grants and automate application drafts.
Step 7: Impact-Driven Networking and Branding With Role Models
Today’s entrepreneurs love modeling impactful leaders. Violetta Bonenkamp, known as Mean CEO, and founder of Fe/male Switch, emphasizes the importance of creating personal branding through impactful initiatives. Entrepreneurs should follow suit:
- Build visibility in niche networks, especially for female founders entering STEM.
- Learn from entrepreneurs to apply multi-disciplinary approaches to business innovation.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Adopting longevity-centered startup habits isn’t without challenges. Avoid these pitfalls:
- Overworking: Misinterpreting the 811 culture as merely repackaging hustle culture. Prioritize proper breaks and recovery time. And of course, do not underestimate the importance of nutrition. Check out Nutrition Coach AI for inspiration on how to integrate the principles of longevity into your entrepreneurial journey.
- Ignoring Feedback: Smart startup builders continuously iterate using platforms like the SANDBOX to receive actionable advice.
- Skipping Legal/Foundation Steps: Failing to use AI tools like Startup Lawyer AI can create long-term risks.
Success Example: PlayPal and Violetta Bonenkamp's Leadership
Take PlayPal, an AI startup co-founder created by Fe/male Switch, and Violetta Bonenkamp, its founder. Bonenkamp has made breakthrough contributions to AI-driven business tools, establishing methods for validating ideas, finding funding, and fostering startup sustainability.
Bonenkamp and her AI solutions drive accessibility to deeptech entrepreneurship and empower women globally through innovative platforms like Fe/male Switch. Her gamepreneurship methodology is a prime example of longevity-focused startup culture.
Conclusion: Why 811 Isn't Just Culture. It's a Startup Guide
For entrepreneurs in 2026, Bryan Johnson's 811 culture represents more than health advice, it’s a structural shift in how businesses grow sustainably. By applying these seven steps, using cutting-edge tools like PlayPal and Startup Lawyer AI, and leveraging platforms like the Fe/male Switch SANDBOX, you’ll not only build startups; you’ll create lasting value for yourself and your teams.
Interested in validating your startup idea or talking to your own AI co-founder? Try the Fe/male Switch SANDBOX or chat with PlayPal today!
FAQ
1. What is Bryan Johnson’s 811 culture about?
Bryan Johnson's 811 culture is a balanced daily routine advocating for 8 hours of sleep, 1 hour of exercise, and 30 minutes of meditation. It’s designed to improve well-being and productivity, contrasting with the intense "996" work style. Learn more about Bryan Johnson's Approach
2. How does the 811 culture benefit entrepreneurs?
The 811 approach helps entrepreneurs manage burnout, enhances creativity, and builds a healthier work environment. Discover its Benefits
3. What is the Fe/male Switch SANDBOX for startups?
The Fe/male Switch SANDBOX is a gamified platform for entrepreneurs to validate startup ideas and milestones using tools like AI-driven feedback. Explore the Fe/male Switch SANDBOX
4. Are there AI tools available to assist startups in 2026?
Yes, tools like PlayPal help with tasks such as brainstorming, formulating grant applications, and obtaining feedback on startup goals. Learn more about PlayPal
5. Why is problem validation critical for startup longevity?
Bryan Johnson highlights that addressing real customer pain points reduces inefficiencies, helping startups avoid burnout. Platforms like PlayPal assist in validation. Check Out PlayPal
6. What legal tools can startups use to handle agreements?
Startups can leverage tools like Startup Lawyer AI to manage contracts, shareholder agreements, and other legal issues. Learn About Startup Lawyer AI
7. How can entrepreneurs find non-dilutive funding?
EU grants are excellent sources of non-dilutive funding, and tools like Grant Finder streamline the search and application process. Find Grants for Startups
8. What branding strategies can help startups stand out?
Following impactful leaders like Violetta Bonenkamp and building a personal brand in niche networks, especially in STEM, provides a competitive edge. Learn More About Fe/male Switch
9. What common mistakes should founders avoid when adopting 811 culture?
Avoid overworking, neglecting feedback, and skipping foundational legal steps, as these can undermine both personal and business longevity.
10. What is PlayPal, and why is it a success example?
PlayPal, an AI co-founder tool, showcases how platforms like Fe/male Switch enable entrepreneurs to launch sustainable startups. Explore PlayPal
About the Author
Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur. Throughout her startup experience she has applied for multiple startup grants at the EU level, in the Netherlands and Malta, and her startups received quite a few of those. She’s been living, studying and working in many countries around the globe and her extensive multicultural experience has influenced her immensely.
Violetta Bonenkamp's expertise in CAD sector, IP protection and blockchain
Violetta Bonenkamp is recognized as a multidisciplinary expert with significant achievements in the CAD sector, intellectual property (IP) protection, and blockchain technology.
CAD Sector:
- Violetta is the CEO and co-founder of CADChain, a deep tech startup focused on developing IP management software specifically for CAD (Computer-Aided Design) data. CADChain addresses the lack of industry standards for CAD data protection and sharing, using innovative technology to secure and manage design data.
- She has led the company since its inception in 2018, overseeing R&D, PR, and business development, and driving the creation of products for platforms such as Autodesk Inventor, Blender, and SolidWorks.
- Her leadership has been instrumental in scaling CADChain from a small team to a significant player in the deeptech space, with a diverse, international team.
IP Protection:
- Violetta has built deep expertise in intellectual property, combining academic training with practical startup experience. She has taken specialized courses in IP from institutions like WIPO and the EU IPO.
- She is known for sharing actionable strategies for startup IP protection, leveraging both legal and technological approaches, and has published guides and content on this topic for the entrepreneurial community.
- Her work at CADChain directly addresses the need for robust IP protection in the engineering and design industries, integrating cybersecurity and compliance measures to safeguard digital assets.
Blockchain:
- Violetta’s entry into the blockchain sector began with the founding of CADChain, which uses blockchain as a core technology for securing and managing CAD data.
- She holds several certifications in blockchain and has participated in major hackathons and policy forums, such as the OECD Global Blockchain Policy Forum.
- Her expertise extends to applying blockchain for IP management, ensuring data integrity, traceability, and secure sharing in the CAD industry.
Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).
She is the founder of Fe/male Switch, a startup game that encourages women to enter STEM fields, and also leads CADChain, and multiple other projects like the Directory of 1,000 Startup Cities with a proprietary MeanCEO Index that ranks cities for female entrepreneurs. Violetta created the "gamepreneurship" methodology, which forms the scientific basis of her startup game. She also builds a lot of SEO tools for startups. Her achievements include being named one of the top 100 women in Europe by EU Startups in 2022 and being nominated for Impact Person of the year at the Dutch Blockchain Week. She is an author with Sifted and a speaker at different Universities. Recently she published a book on Startup Idea Validation the right way: from zero to first customers and beyond, launched a Directory of 1,500+ websites for startups to list themselves in order to gain traction and build backlinks and is building MELA AI to help local restaurants in Malta get more visibility online.
For the past several years Violetta has been living between the Netherlands and Malta, while also regularly traveling to different destinations around the globe, usually due to her entrepreneurial activities. This has led her to start writing about different locations and amenities from the POV of an entrepreneur. Here’s her recent article about the best hotels in Italy to work from.
Violetta likes to write about Startup News in Europe, Best startups of the year, Latest Startup News, Building your first startup, Startup News for Female Founders in Europe, News for Female Entrepreneurs and Engineering News
About the Publication
Fe/male Switch is an innovative startup platform designed to empower women entrepreneurs through an immersive, game-like experience. Founded in 2020 during the pandemic "without any funding and without any code," this non-profit initiative has evolved into a comprehensive educational tool for aspiring female entrepreneurs.The platform was co-founded by Violetta Shishkina-Bonenkamp, who serves as CEO and one of the lead authors of the Startup News branch.
Mission and Purpose
Fe/male Switch Foundation was created to address the gender gap in the tech and entrepreneurship space. The platform aims to skill-up future female tech leaders and empower them to create resilient and innovative tech startups through what they call "gamepreneurship". By putting players in a virtual startup village where they must survive and thrive, the startup game allows women to test their entrepreneurial abilities without financial risk.
Key Features
The platform offers a unique blend of news, resources,learning, networking, and practical application within a supportive, female-focused environment:
- Skill Lab: Micro-modules covering essential startup skills
- Virtual Startup Building: Create or join startups and tackle real-world challenges
- AI Co-founder (PlayPal): Guides users through the startup process
- SANDBOX: A testing environment for idea validation before launch
- Wellness Integration: Virtual activities to balance work and self-care
- Marketplace: Buy or sell expert sessions and tutorials
Impact and Growth
Since its inception, Fe/male Switch has shown impressive growth:
- 5,000+ female entrepreneurs in the community
- 100+ startup tools built
- 5,000+ pieces of articles and news written
- 1,000 unique business ideas for women created
Partnerships
Fe/male Switch has formed strategic partnerships to enhance its offerings. In January 2022, it teamed up with global website builder Tilda to provide free access to website building tools and mentorship services for Fe/male Switch participants.
Recognition
Fe/male Switch has received media attention for its innovative approach to closing the gender gap in tech entrepreneurship. The platform has been featured in various publications highlighting its unique "play to learn and earn" model.
