Europe Needs a Stronger Homegrown Tech and Cybersecurity Ecosystem, Entrepreneur Argues
Summary
The author argues that Europe’s dependence on foreign digital services and cybersecurity products undermines its sovereignty, and calls for more homegrown companies, EU procurement, investment, and room for innovation.
Key points
- The author says Europe’s digital services deficit with the US is €260 billion and that Europe imports 70% of its cybersecurity products.
- The article frames reliance on US platforms as a strategic vulnerability, citing potential loss of access to payment, social, and email services.
- It argues that Europe’s emphasis on privacy, rights, and regulation reflects its history, but that excessive early regulation can constrain innovation.
- The author advocates building a broad ecosystem of European cloud, AI, software, and cybersecurity firms instead of relying on a few dominant companies.
- Proposed levers include buying from EU vendors, public–private investment, and pan-European scaling programs.
- The article points to clean-energy investment as an example of Europe acting decisively, while warning that dependence on Chinese solar equipment remains.
Article Details
- Topic
- Europe's digital technology ecosystem, digital sovereignty, and cybersecurity capacity
People
Elon MuskNamed as one of the figures at the center of the US tech scene's alignment with the Republican Party's right wing.Jasmine SunIndependent writer focused on tech culture and Silicon Valley politics; cited for her perspective on the Tech Right.JD VanceIdentified as the US Vice President who delivered a speech in February 2025 criticizing Europe's approach to democracy, freedom of speech, and EU regulations.Marc AndreessenFounder of Netscape and CEO of A16z; cited for his Tech-Optimist Manifesto and accelerationist views.Peter ThielNamed as one of the figures at the center of the US tech scene's alignment with the Republican Party's right wing.Thierry BretonFormer French entrepreneur, French Minister of the Economy, and EU commissioner associated with creating the Digital Service Act and Digital Market Act.
Vendors
Mastercarda French person living in the Netherlands? It means you cannot hold any payment system because Visa and Mastercard are US companies. It means you cannot connect on any social networks because Facebook, LinkedIn, andMicrosoftaccount to chat with your family across borders. Nor can you have an email because Outlook is owned by Microsoft, and the list goes on.Visaif you are a French person living in the Netherlands? It means you cannot hold any payment system because Visa and Mastercard are US companies. It means you cannot connect on any social networks because Facebook,
Products
Digital Market Actand EU commissioner who led the creation of regulations such as the Digital Service Act and the Digital Market Act. He was banned from traveling to the US as if he were a gangster or a terrorist. Why? What crimeDigital Service Actof the Economy of France, and EU commissioner who led the creation of regulations such as the Digital Service Act and the Digital Market Act. He was banned from traveling to the US as if he were a gangster or aFacebookbecause Visa and Mastercard are US companies. It means you cannot connect on any social networks because Facebook, LinkedIn, and X—all of these platforms are US-based. You cannot even have a WhatsApp account to chatLinkedInand Mastercard are US companies. It means you cannot connect on any social networks because Facebook, LinkedIn, and X—all of these platforms are US-based. You cannot even have a WhatsApp account to chat with yourOutlookeven have a WhatsApp account to chat with your family across borders. Nor can you have an email because Outlook is owned by Microsoft, and the list goes on.REPowerEU Planitself has already shown that it can move decisively in a strategic technology transition. With the REPowerEU Plan, the EU chose to phase out Russian fossil fuel imports, protect citizens and businesses from energyWhatsAppnetworks because Facebook, LinkedIn, and X—all of these platforms are US-based. You cannot even have a WhatsApp account to chat with your family across borders. Nor can you have an email because Outlook is owned byXare US companies. It means you cannot connect on any social networks because Facebook, LinkedIn, and X—all of these platforms are US-based. You cannot even have a WhatsApp account to chat with your family across
Countries
ChinaTech is at the center of politics in the US and China. The US Tech-right and China’s techno-utilitarians use digital technologies differently, aligned with their political goals.FranceAt the time, the United Kingdom, France, and Germany were at the forefront of modern societies. They pursued large-scale colonialism—the UK alone ruled over nearly half a billion people worldwide—and their populationsGermanyAt the time, the United Kingdom, France, and Germany were at the forefront of modern societies. They pursued large-scale colonialism—the UK alone ruled over nearly half a billion people worldwide—and their populationsJapanIt’s Not Too Late: Lessons from Cars in Japan and Clean EnergyKoreaindustry. This industry would protect us against criminals on one side and state actors like North Korea or China on the other. It would make us more resilient, enable us to enforce our own rules and laws, andNetherlandsWhat does this mean if you are a French person living in the Netherlands? It means you cannot hold any payment system because Visa and Mastercard are US companies. It means you cannot connect on any social networksRussiafossil fuel imports, protect citizens and businesses from energy shocks, support Ukraine by weakening Russia’s war chest, and accelerate the shift to clean energy. In just a few years, the EU doubled solarUkraineEurope imports 70% of its cybersecurity products. We’re expected to invest more in our defense after the Ukraine invasion, yet we’re still failing to build a stronger cybersecurity industry. This industry would protectUnited States
Industries
Automotivescaling vertically, like having one giant in nuclear energy or a handful of companies dominating the automotive industry. Instead, we need dozens, even hundreds, of cybersecurity, AI, and cloud software companies.Clean energyIt’s Not Too Late: Lessons from Cars in Japan and Clean EnergyTechnologyHow the US and China Politicised Technology