A coalition of European startups quickly asked measures to cover up stressful EU regulations in accordance with A Landmark explanation From the D9+ group digitally advanced nations.
The explanation emphasized the need to “eliminate barriers” and to simplify EU rules and procedures. Minister from all 13 countries in the D9+ Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden – signed the explanation.
They emphasized the need for a “checked digital rule book” that “is deregulated” if possible and “avoids unnecessary bureaucracy”.
A startup group asked the ministers to secure their words with actions. The S9+ coalition -Anglected to give startups a voice in the political agenda of the D9+-warning that the “excessive and fragmented regulation” of Europe had become a self-imposed barrier.
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“When this explanation plays a role, the next step is clear: D9+ countries must be in the [European] The Council for simplification, harmonization and reduction of the digital regulation of the EU – and to make Europe more attractive for investments, ”Peter Kofler, chairman of S9+ member of Dänischer Entrepreneurs, told TNW.
The S9+ argues that startups are the basis of economic growth. The claim is based on solid soil. According to Acalroom.co, only 0.01% of companies create 34% of all economic value – and everyone starts as startups.
However, Europe has difficulty making promising companies. Not a single EU company that has started over the past 50 years has a market capitalization of over 100 billion euros. During the same period, all six US companies were created with an assessment of over € 1 trillion.
Hopes and fears for EU startups
In recent years, Europe has fallen behind the USA in productivity and suffered from a declining share of global technical income. The leading startups of the continent now often look overseas. Between 2008 and 2021, almost 30% of European startups worth over 1 billion US dollars worth over 1 billion US dollars were relocated Your headquarters abroad. The vast majority moved to the USA.
Many of their problems in Europe are due to suffocating regulation. For example, the GDPR costs small IT companies over 12% of its profit, accordingly Estimates of three economists from the University of Oxford.
In an explanation The S9+itself warned that “Europe cannot regulate its way out of stagnation”.
The explanation suggests specific measures to tackle the problem. His recommendations are quickly implemented The 28th regime -A proposed individual rules for the entire EU and the provision of technical-friendly zones with regulatory “sandboxes” and a gradual increase in regulatory requirements.
The AI ​​regulation is a special concern for the S9+. The coalition asked the EU to develop a regulatory framework that promotes AI innovation and at the same time guarantees fair and open data access. New compliance frameworks that emphasized S9+ should be limited to what is “absolutely necessary” – and only be introduced after consulting startups.
The S9+ also emphasized the need to concentrate on aspiring companies instead of priorizing the requirements of traditional industry giants.
“Startups do not ask for a special treatment,” said Kofler. “We ask for a flat competitive area – for access to capital, data, infrastructure and markets. If Europe wants to close it 800 billion € Investment gap, it will not happen to give old subsidies of old players. It will happen by unleash the capital and the ideas, bringing the startups with them. “
European startups are the heartbeat of the TNW conference, which takes place in Amsterdam on June 19 to 20. Tickets for the event are now for sale. Use the Code TnwxMedia2025 on the check-out to get a 30% discount on the price.
