zlacker

>>AareyB+(OP)
There seems to be a huge business opportunity in Europe right now, to sell support and customization of open source software to government players. Has anyone heard about a European company that’s been successful in this area?

>>larsny+9j
Just goes to show how many structural problems there are to starting tech companies in Europe.

>>noneth+0y
Yes, the problem is capital. US has loads of it and Europe does not. So a lot of European startups have 3 options: remain niche, get bought out buy US investors, move the corporate seat/brain trust to the US.

There are many small European startups who do not have infrastructure to take on large European multinationals as clients. A lot of EU labor laws have hard requirements at 50 and 100 employees so startups stay below those lines and remain tech lifestyle companies.

>>yardie+ZD
I don't think capital is that much of a problem.

We have it, and it's been growing consistently.

What we lack is risk appetite, young people dreaming to be entrepreneurs, talent, a truly unified market, regulations and proper corporate law. Say what you want but stock options essentially don't exist in Europe, so you either give equity upfront or you don't at all.

>>epolan+Yy1
My impression was that Europe had a lot of old money. A lot of traditional and family banks that were only willing to risk it on "a sure thing." The startups I did work at were the founders did a stint in SV after being recruited from Europe. Came back with the knowledge and culture of startups. Tried to replicate it there and ultimately couldn't climb out the bureaucracy.

The capital is locked up in traditional large multinationals. I've watched them launch one boondoggle after another. And it fail because of endless meetings and fearing to know their customers.