European Dominance in Technology Hinges on Regulatory Alignment and Cultural Adjustment

In the heart of the Netherlands, an American-born entrepreneur is making waves in the world of cultivated leather, serving as the CEO of Qorium. Amidst the political instability, cultural hostility, and visa challenges plaguing the US, there is a growing trend of international students and researchers choosing Canada, Australia, and European Union countries over the US.

This shift is not lost on our speaker, who voices concerns about the US's recent shift towards unilateral bullying. The concern is shared by European policymakers, who are increasingly viewing innovation not just as a matter of competitiveness, but also as a question of values, focus, and prioritisation.

The EU is sending a clear message: science and innovation are public goods, truth is not a partisan issue, and education is a right, not a privilege. This stance is reflected in the EU's regulatory landscape, which is becoming increasingly favourable for deep tech startups. Venture capital is responding to Europe's regulatory clarity with notable upticks in funding for startups across Germany, France, and the Netherlands.

The AI Act, for instance, establishes a harmonised framework for the development and deployment of AI, offering clarity and certainty, particularly in sectors like biotech, healthtech, and critical infrastructure. The Digital Services Act and Digital Markets Act aim to rein in Big Tech excesses and lay the groundwork for a more competitive, open digital ecosystem.

Europe's approach fosters sustainable, scalable innovation with real-world impact, although it may not generate the overnight paper unicorns of Silicon Valley. The speaker, while observing slow decision-making, risk aversion, and onerous regulation in Europe, views these as features to be worked with rather than bugs to be squashed.

The world desperately needs Europe to thrive as a stable, open, truthful hub for innovation. Higher education in the US is under siege, with books banned, departments defunded, and educators fired for teaching history factually. In contrast, European universities and research centres are seeing rising applications from non-EU nationals, particularly in ethically sensitive or publicly impactful fields.

Success stories like Giacomo Cattaneo and Alexandre Morel, the founders of FOOD FOUNDERS Studio focused on food technology commercialization at the European level, are a testament to Europe's potential. European initiatives like Horizon Europe and the European Innovation Council are providing billions in coordinated funding and support for high-impact research and tech transfer.

However, Europe still has room for improvement. It needs to learn to believe in itself, move faster, and adopt a harder-working mindset to match the passion and drive of US entrepreneurship. As the global race for technological leadership heats up, Europe's unique regulatory approach offers a significant advantage. The time for Europe to step up as a beacon of innovation is now.

European Dominance in Technology Hinges on Regulatory Alignment and Cultural Adjustment