The second episode of @EUTechLoop radio features Simon Schaefer, co-founder of the #euinc (@euinc_petition). A sneak peek into what we covered: ▪️What is EU Inc.? ▪️Why should people from smaller (and less bureaucratic) countries care about EU Inc.? ▪️Issues with the current negotiations: threats to the idea of 1) a centralized registry, 2) free choice of registration, and 3) an EU-wide employee stock option regime. ▪️Which types of companies should EU Inc. apply to? Can you even define what's "an innovative company"> ▪️Will founders rally in front of the Berlaymont or the European Parliament, just like labor unions did? eutechloop.com/simon-schaefe…

Very proud to announce the first episode of @EUTechLoop radio with Bart de Witte @OpenMedFuture. We talked about: ▪️open source + open weights ▪️the second leg of the AI race ▪️the AI Omnibus + the Digital Omnibus ▪️and, of course, the #EUinc. eutechloop.com/bart-de-witte…

“Policy & public affairs are only for big techs, big telcos and maybe unicorns, we don’t have time or resources for that” - we’ve all probably heard startup founders say that. The reality is different: European & local policymakers are eager to hear from EU founders - big or small- but in a timely & constructive manner. AI makes policy monitoring cheaper & more accessible. Monitoring & self-evaluation is a necessity, not a luxury - many understand it the hard way - and you can participate in shaping the future of the EU, no need for defeatist approach. Yes, it’s not super easy, but what is easy nowadays? My thoughts for @EUTechLoop after @VilniusFounders chat yesterday: eutechloop.com/blueprint-for…

Consider this my end of the year review. Europeans’ resistance to the changes needed to ensure our competitiveness and prosperity (or at least to retain some of today’s prosperity) is, in part, a consequence of having lived in relative safety and comfort for a long time. Some people seem to have forgotten that without a strong economy, we won’t have strong defence capabilities, and then we will be left with nothing at all.  A strong economy doesn’t just happen through regulating, taxing, and procuring “desirable” companies. The global financial system is flexible, people and businesses are mobile, and the EU is too vulnerable to be as protectionist without major repercussions as some of the major global powers. The world that many generations of Europeans, especially Western Europeans, have been used to is now gone, and a change in perspective is needed. Either we do it willingly, or worsening circumstances will force that change upon us. eutechloop.com/between-a-roc…

My latest for @euronews & @EUTechLoop on #chatcontrol and Central and Eastern Europe: euronews.com/next/2025/10/11…

Good: a call for a more ambitious GDPR reform. What was missing IMO: a stronger emphasis on governance, impact assessments, and better regulation. #Draghi @EUTechLoop eutechloop.com/five-takeaway…

🇩🇰On Wednesday, the Danish Justice Minister Peter Hummelgaard made two key points (IMO) on the GDPR: “GDPR simplification matters not only for industry and business ministers” and “GDPR simplification will be a central priority for the Danish Presidency". The Danish non-paper proposals are a step in the right direction, but #scaleups should not be forgotten. To truly support European companies, we should follow the example of the first omnibus and extend GDPR simplification measures not only to SMEs but also to a broader set of businesses with real opportunities to scale and become globally competitive. @EUTechLoop @KeszZoltan euronews.com/next/2025/07/25…

‼️ All of you still have time to submit your ideas for the European data union strategy until Sunday. Why does it matter for businesses, startups, scaleups, researchers, basically everyone? 1. You can share your experiences how easy it was to obtain data from the governments/public institutions and share your suggestions. 2. You can share your experiences with getting data from European industry players. Is the Data Act working for you? 3. You can share your suggestions for the data privacy framework. Yes, the Open Data directive, Data Act and Data Governance Act are at the core of this consultation, but insights can be used to build on the future action with the GDPR, e-Privacy and more. Thankful for @euronews for sharing our thoughts we hear from scaleups in Lithuania every day: euronews.com/next/2025/07/18… 🙏 @EUTechLoop @KeszZoltan @FredCyrusRoeder

P.S. We launched a free, biweekly newsletter on EU Digital Policy updates at the @EUTechLoop. Subscription link: 👇 linkedin.com/pulse/comparing…

Opinions are important, but public administrations need tangible & proactive suggestions, not only criticism. Here’s what CEE startups want from the EU for data regulations: 1. Clear guidelines & simplified reporting requirements for #GDPR, #AIACT et al. 2. A 'one-stop shop' among national regulators - regulators work in silos and their recommendations are unclear. 3. Learn from the US - unicorn KPI is ok, but what about decacorns & hectacorns? 4. Complete the single digital market 5. Be careful with new regulations - we have a lot to adopt, transpose, implement already. 6. GDPR: 1) More incentives for startups; 2) We have to rethink the scope of personal data if we want data-based companies in Europe; 3) the right to access data is too absolute (trade secrets are a thing). @EUTechLoop

In my recent article for @EUTechLoop I revisited Ursula von der Leyen's mission letters outlining #tech related tasks for Commissioners. Let the season begin! #digital #eutechloop #tech Full article: eutechloop.com/meet-the-next…

Over the weekend, we observed many *interesting* statements about the future of EU-US tech policy cooperation and beyond, including VP-to-be Vance's statements about the treatment of American companies in the EU. The VP and Commissioner-designate for Technological Sovereignty, Security, and Democracy, Henna Virkkunen, is soon set to attend the EP hearings. Last week, we wrote her a letter that feels even more relevant now (link in the comments). A few excerpts: 🔀 Europe currently stands at a crossroads, having to make the best of both worlds - preserving its core values while ensuring that the EU remains (and, in some cases, becomes) globally competitive. ⚖ Consumer-oriented policies need to be balanced too - it is within consumers’ interests to not only be protected by a regulatory safety net but also have the ability to access the most innovative products and technologies possible while our businesses are not stripped away from possibilities they find across the Atlantic or elsewhere in the world. It is within the consumer interest to see European businesses be successful and willing to stay here in the EU. 🔺 We can only hope the Commission can bring a rational and careful approach to the EU's regulatory supermachine, where new regulatory ideas will not become "ends in themselves" and they actually improve business climate, not make it “equally difficult” for everybody. 💶 Adapting to new regulations poses challenges not only for businesses (both large and small) via compliance or limited innovation potential, but also for Member States’ public administrations via transposition and implementation, particularly in countries with smaller bureaucracies. The final payer for the increased burden on both bureaucracy and business is always the consumer - either through increased prices or local administrations’ having to shift their focus from local needs - digital transformation or not. 🇺🇸 🇪🇺 The Commission's efforts to seek sovereignty from high-risk vendors are commendable, yet our economic interdependence with the US must be assessed rationally. [We have to] remain realistic about [our] dependence on the US in areas we cannot change easily and quickly. Tech policy, among other issues, is a vital component of this reciprocal relationship. Americans and Europeans are not enemies, and it's high time policymakers on both sides of the Atlantic switched their focus to fighting real threats instead and looking for ways to complement, not compete with each other. The last point applies to both Americans and Europeans - the world is changing quickly. eutechloop.com/letter-to-hen…

🇺🇸 🇪🇺 Post US election: let's not bury the future of transatlantic tech cooperation yet (link below) We didn’t have to wait long after the US Presidential election to hear some European tech thought leaders to: 1) call for greater digital sovereignty, stating, “we have no other choice now” 2) think the US elections will make American talent flee the US (or encourage global talent to choose the EU over the US) A few points to consider: 📢 Social media comments aside, as we enter a phase of extreme realpolitik (with additional flavors) during times of major global challenges and with the rules-based international order shifting, neither the EU nor the US can afford to lose allies. 🎯 Digital sovereignty - one size doesn’t fit all. Europe needs to stay focused and aim carefully when it comes to its digital sovereignty. The term ‘digital sovereignty’ should not become an overinflated term used by anyone to describe anything. 🛬 Attracting global talent - let's think about business & innovation climate, not visas only. Easier migration regime for global, high-skill talent is certainly needed. Yet, the EU’s regulatory environment is a major deterrent not only for global talent but also for Europeans. European talent often chooses to leave the EU after scaling when compliance becomes too burdensome financially or makes it impossible to develop their products further. via @EUTechLoop eutechloop.com/post-us-elect…

What awaits us during the upcoming Polish 🇵🇱 Presidency of the Council of the EU? (Click the link in the comments to read my latest for @EUTechLoop ) ✅ Polish industry associations have previously recommended to focus on 5 areas in tech: 1) better monitoring of regulation, 2) cybersecurity, 3) Digital Single Market, 4) increased R&D spending (together with increased cooperation with like-minded countries), and 5) digital upskilling. 🔍 Polish Govt officials have already expanded publicly on 6 security-based priorities overall: 1) defense 2) energy 3) economic security (including decisions on the future of cohesion policy); 4) food safety, 5) health and 6) information security and cybersecurity. ✅ A strong emphasis is currently being placed on ensuring the Presidency remains cautious about introducing new regulations that could hinder innovation and European competitiveness. This is going to be a difficult task. 🇺🇸🇪🇺 “EU should prioritize competitiveness with China, rather than the United States” - that’s not my quote, it’s a quote by a Polish Government representative. Refreshing, eh?