Invest in Up-and-Coming Entrepreneurs and Tech Leaders is the Urgent Call at Our Online Conference, as Perceived by Industry Luminaries
In a bid to bolster Europe's tech industry and foster innovation, over 120 European founders from companies like Klarna, Mistral AI, and Shopify have joined forces in Project Europe. The initiative aims to provide investment, mentorship, and resources to keep ambitious, talented entrepreneurs in Europe and help them thrive.
The call for enhanced support for young founders in Europe is growing louder, as these entrepreneurs face systemic challenges that hinder their growth and the continent’s overall innovation capacity. Despite their significant contributions to Europe’s green transition, sustainability, and cutting-edge sectors like tech and health, the current ecosystem often lacks the tailored resources, mentorship, and funding mechanisms suited for the fast pace and unique needs of modern start-ups led by youth.
Investors and CEOs are addressing these issues through various initiatives. For instance, organisations like AmCham EU and Junior Achievement Europe recognise young entrepreneurs through awards such as the AmCham EU Youth Entrepreneurship Award. Winners like BioBliss receive not only financial prizes but also executive mentorship from top European CEOs, highlighting the importance of leadership guidance to foster growth and innovation among young founders.
The Young Entrepreneurs Forum in the UK connects emerging founders to amplify their voices and influence policymakers. By directly engaging with young entrepreneurs, investors and CEOs aim to reshape policies that currently do not match the pace or needs of start-ups, helping to reduce barriers to funding and scaling.
Many European universities and programs like EIT Jumpstarter provide entrepreneurship hubs, incubators, and acceleration programs offering mentorship, business training, and access to seed funding. This holistic support—from developing business plans to pitching and networking—helps young founders translate ideas into viable start-ups.
Nicola Ebmeyer, co-founder and CEO of Gain.pro, based in Amsterdam, is among Europe's fastest-growing startups. Ebmeyer's experience reflects a broader cultural problem in Europe, where the phrase "You can't be what you can't see" holds true for the entrepreneurial journey. Ebmeyer's plan to found a startup was often derided as dangerously risky.
Kieran Hill, General Partner at 20VC, a venture capital firm founded by Harry Stebbings, has called for a change in Europe’s risk-taking attitude. Hill's venture capital firm has backed an early-stage fund called Project Europe, which supports entrepreneurs under 25. Hill argues that young founders in Europe have the same ambitions as their counterparts in the US but lack the same level of financial support.
Hill believes that the risk appetite among European VCs is minimal. However, he highlights the positive momentum in Europe with several fast-growing startups like Mistral, Synthesia, and Loveable now based in Europe. Today's talented founders often prefer to be in the US, where they find inspiration and celebration of entrepreneurial success.
In conclusion, the support and empowerment of young entrepreneurs through financial backing, mentorship, policy advocacy, and ecosystem resources are crucial for Europe to remain competitive and innovative on a global scale. The engagement of CEOs and investors through mentorship and initiatives also serves to inspire and sustain the next generation of entrepreneurs who are driving sustainable and technological transformations across Europe.
- Kieran Hill, General Partner at 20VC, emphasizes the need for European venture capitalists to take more risks, as financial support is critical for young founders who aim to match the ambitions of their counterparts in the US, particularly in fields like technology and innovation.
- Recognizing the importance of technology and innovation, Investors and CEOs are partnering with organizations and programs across Europe to provide resources, mentorship, and funding mechanisms tailored to the unique needs of modern startups, with the goal of fostering growth and empowering young entrepreneurs.
