The very idea of working for a startup in a big city tends to evoke visions of open office spaces, enviable perks, lunchtime and afterwork comradery with brilliant and like minded officemates. So what does the vision adapt to when offices face downsizing or are stripped away entirely? When teammates, partners and investors are increasingly spread across the globe, and when stress management and mental health programmes become priorities instead?

In this paper we speak with leaders at startups, accelerators and investment firms to understand how Covid-19 is transforming their work, from its impact on investment, mental health to office space to perks of the job. It seems that despite the strength of startup culture, the pandemic has left no stone unturned.