SOET Community

Julien Bek

Partner, Sequoia

Learning from role models builds self-efficacy - the degree to which you back yourself to achieve something, which in turn increases your persistence. Once you have a role model, you gain not just inspiration but practical insights into the skills, behaviours and strategies it takes to succeed. This is the flywheel effect we're excited to see emerge in Europe. A Klarna, Unity or Supercell doesn’t just attract capital and talent to an ecosystem. It serves as a template for others who might now imagine building something of their own.

Carolina Brochado

Partner, EQT Ventures

1). Experienced operational support e.g. larger networks of people to support management teams navigate the challenging times with clear areas of domain expertise. 2). More data & benchmarks that teams can leverage to target what best-in-class looks like - there are loads of these in the US from compensation to operational KPIs but this is not so transparent in Europe. 3). More sophisticated pools of capital investing either direct or into funds at growth stage, willing to commit to the asset class thru cycles.

Chantal Cox

Early stage investor, Octopus Ventures

This substantial and ongoing support has led to: more innovation and technological advancement, a larger pool of talent (and the creation of jobs) and, ultimately, economic growth. This is catalysed by cross-border collaboration, which is fundamental to Europe’s thriving tech start-up ecosystem.

Wouter Durville

Co-Founder & CEO, TestGorilla

This global influx introduces a myriad of skills and perspectives that challenge the status quo and spark innovation. When you hire based on skills and abilities, you naturally create a diverse and robust talent pool, equipped to navigate the complexities of today's tech landscape. This diversity is not just beneficial; it's essential for fostering a culture of creativity and driving forward the technological prowess of Europe on the world stage. By focusing on what truly matters—skills, not just experience or education—European tech companies can harness the full potential of the global talent pool and remain competitive in an increasingly dynamic industry.

Uli Grabenwarter

Deputy Director, Equity Investments & Guarantees, EIF

Looking around us and looking ahead, technology is our single biggest hope for solving the most binary societal challenges we face: climate, energy, preservation of natural resources, security, preventive and therapeutic healthcare to name a few. There is no technology vertical that exists in isolation any longer, each of them has to serve the purpose of a bigger meaning which is in the sustainability of our society. There is no other continent where this awareness is more prevalent than in Europe. It gives us huge opportunities, but also the obligation to lead. Rather than creating companies with meaningless paper value of one billion Euro or more, we will create a new dimension of unicorns in Europe: impact unicorns that will change the lives of 1 billion people. Future financial returns will directly derive from that and become a function of the difference a company will make to the sustainability of humankind.

Leyla Holterud

Partner, Stepstone

In addition, we are seeing a move from bits to atoms with themes like robotics and Industry 4.0 innovation on the rise. Within this backdrop, Europe’s key strength that could make it a tech superpower is the abundance of relevant talent that will power this new innovation cycle. Notwithstanding, many other stars will have to align for this talent to be able to thrive including continued shift in mindset, regulation, and capital markets.

Oana Jinga

Co-Founder & CCO, Dexory

This emerging framework for policy strategy ensures tech incumbents are promoted and enabled for growth. There are probably three main ways in which this strength manifests in the benefit of tech startups and innovators: access to significant public funding with minimal risk (i.e. Horizon 2020 and now the EIC Open Calls), a favourable regulatory context (i.e. clear process to self-certification for most hardware products) and ultimately, the global expansion potential with direct connections into all other major geographies.

Catherine Lenson

Co-Chief Operating Officer, Phoenix Court

Most organisations exploit only a fraction of the knowledge, experience, and intellectual capital that is available to them; the healthy ones tap into almost all of it. Most organisations spend too much time and energy worrying about specific issues - compensation trends, remote working - and too little time worrying about building a solid foundation of organisational health. Great organisations focus on building and strengthening their organisational health, through practical and symbolic steps, day-in and day-out, developing a deep and uncommon sense of trust between and within teams, alleviating the need for reactive firefighting of issues and trends. Organisational health trumps everything else.

Karl Lokko

Chairman, Black Seed

This information evolution has contributed to a burgeoning diversity in seed-stage excellence. The transformative impact of COVID-19 has underscored a need for adaptability. Combined with a post George Floyd era, a paradigm shift has begun to take place. Under representation was collectively challenged, allowing for a greater endorsement of black talent in entrepreneurship, an increased focus on female representation within founding teams and a wider acknowledgment that diverse teams out perform their non diverse counterparts. Diversification within teams allows for greater capacity to adapt. However to sustain and build upon this trajectory, continued targeted efforts must be made to further dismantle systemic biases and promote inclusivity. The entrepreneurial ecosystem’s commitment to widening the funnel isn't just an ethical imperative but a strategic advantage for the entire startup landscape.

Geraldine MacCarthy

CRO, Personio

Each year we produce fantastic, highly skilled talent, meaning that European tech companies can pick and choose from some of the brightest minds in the world. Where this makes a real difference is when it’s paired with ‘on the job’ experience gained in the increasing number of companies that have successfully scaled across the continent. It’s a perfect combination of knowledge, ambition and skills that is accelerating the European tech flywheel, getting us closer and closer to being the next tech superpower.

Julio Martinez

Co-Founder & CEO, Abacum

That is the key to creating a resilient and interconnected European tech ecosystem. We have seen over the years how both investors and operators are relocating to Europe attracted by its diversity, innovation, and regulatory sophistication. This has created the perfect ingredients for Europe’s potential as the next global tech superpower.

Marit Rødevand

Co-Founder & CEO, Strise

This mix fuels innovation and creative problem-solving in tech, setting us up to tackle global challenges.

Oskari Saarenmaa

Co-Founder & CEO, Aiven

We must foster a culture that believes in the power of ideas and capabilities, promoting risk-taking and entrepreneurship. This confidence is not just about individual success—it's about cultivating a collective belief that Europe has the talent, creativity, and resilience to lead in the global tech arena. By instilling this confidence in ourselves, we will make investments, foster innovation, and create an environment where tech pioneers flourish. It's not just about competing; it's about embracing our unique strengths with confidence, paving the way for Europe to emerge as the next tech superpower.

Luna Schmid

Partner, Google Ventures

Europe has some of the leading technical universities in the world and equitable access to postgraduate education. Especially in and around AI, we're seeing increased company formation and technical team talent from these universities. Many of the first-generation successful startups in Europe from the last decade have spawned new hubs of early-staged founders and builders. Moreover, the rise of remote work has distributed talent and opportunity to new geographies, spurring new hotbeds of innovation across the EU. The confluence of these forces has created an environment of sustained and rational optimism, and we're excited to continue supporting Europe's thriving tech ecosystem at the earliest stages of company formation.

Emilie Tyan

VP of People, Reveal

Educational programs across Europe encourage students to gain work experience through internships, apprenticeships, studies abroad, and entrepreneurship programs. These extracurricular activities prepare the students to be open-minded, embrace diversity, and create their own paths with support from institutions. The Schengen Agreement allows companies to search for the best talent across borders, without any restrictions.