europe Archives - Startup Economist

Portugal’s Entrepreneurial Revolution: Why Startups and Innovation Thrive (And What Needs to Change)

Monday, 03 March 2025 by Paul O'Brien

A Country Built on Bold Exploration and Innovation Portugal’s legacy as a global pioneer began long before the word “startup” existed. In the 15th and 16th centuries, Lisbon was the Silicon Valley of its time, launching a wave of global exploration that transformed commerce, navigation, and trade. With figures like Vasco da Gama and Ferdinand

Published in Regional Development

3 Comments

The End of Illusions: Why the Future of Freedom Lies in Innovation, Not Government Control

Saturday, 15 February 2025 by Paul O'Brien

U.S. Vice President Vance Signals that Politicians are Finally Understanding the Internet In an era where governments are increasingly positioning themselves as the guardians of truth, security, and economic stability, a stark reality is becoming impossible to ignore: they can’t actually do any of it. The illusion that central authorities can safeguard speech, protect intellectual

education europe germany innovation privacy public policy regulation security

Published in Economic Development, Startups

17 Comments

Why Doesn’t Europe Have a Silicon Valley

Friday, 07 February 2025 by Paul O'Brien

Europe is home to some of the world’s most brilliant minds, world-class universities, and a rich history of scientific and technological breakthroughs. The birthplace of modern banking in Italy, the World Wide Web at CERN, and some of the most advanced engineering institutions globally, Europe should—by all logical measures—be a dominant force in the startup

economic development eu europe european silicon valley startup ecosystems

Published in Regional Development

33 Comments

From Socialist Roots to a Free-Market Startup Renaissance: Estonia

Friday, 03 January 2025 by Paul O'Brien

Estonia has long been hailed as the digital darling of Europe, a small Baltic nation that defied its post-Soviet limitations to emerge as a tech powerhouse. Yet, for all its acclaim, Estonia’s journey has been shaped by a tension between its socialist roots and a growing desire for economic liberalism. Today, with sweeping governmental reforms

baltics economic development entrepreneurship estonia europe startups

Published in Regional Development

5 Comments

Why Most Countries Fail at Tech Startups (How to Fix That)

Friday, 20 December 2024 by Paul O'Brien

Wrapping up 2024 and on our way into a fresh start, whether you celebrate the holidays or ring in the new year, something most of us will experience in the next few weeks is a shift in the culture we typically experience. People are warmer, perhaps more social, and in the spirit of giving gifts

ecosystem europe finland funding government israel policy public policy singapore

Published in Economic Development

34 Comments

European Nations Reform Employee Ownership Laws to Boost Startup Ecosystem

Monday, 02 December 2024 by Paul O'Brien

Monday Ventures: Weekly What’s Shaping the Startup Economy In late October 2024, seven European countries enacted significant reforms to their employee ownership laws, aligning more closely with U.S. standards to enhance their competitiveness in attracting talent and investment within the startup sector. This development addresses longstanding bureaucratic hurdles and tax policies that have previously hindered

eu europe france germany portugal united kingdom

Published in Monday Ventures

No Comments

Croatia: A Historical Backbone of Resilience and Opportunity

Wednesday, 13 November 2024 by Paul O'Brien

Croatia’s history is defined by resilience and adaptability, traits that naturally align with the entrepreneurial spirit. Originally part of the Roman Empire, Croatia grew through centuries of influence by various empires and regimes—from the medieval Croatian Kingdom to the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and later as part of Yugoslavia until its independence in 1991. This complex history

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Published in AI, Regional Development, Startups

18 Comments