Comments on: Europe Is Searching For Its Silicon Valley http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/05/europe-is-searching-for-its-silicon-valley/ Startup and Technology News Wed, 09 Jul 2008 06:26:33 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Create the Future http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/05/europe-is-searching-for-its-silicon-valley/#comment-2183378 Create the Future Wed, 16 Apr 2008 16:10:44 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/05/europe-is-searching-for-its-silicon-valley/#comment-2183378 <strong>Being "Silicon Valley"...</strong> A lot has been made lately about becoming the next silicon valley, Brendon Wilson is going to be talking about the subject on a regular basis on the TechVibes blog and has posted on it a couple of times already,... Being “Silicon Valley”…

A lot has been made lately about becoming the next silicon valley, Brendon Wilson is going to be talking about the subject on a regular basis on the TechVibes blog and has posted on it a couple of times already,…

]]> By: tom http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/05/europe-is-searching-for-its-silicon-valley/#comment-2159486 tom Thu, 10 Apr 2008 10:55:22 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/05/europe-is-searching-for-its-silicon-valley/#comment-2159486 Beteer Give to India Bangalore !!! cool Beteer Give to India Bangalore !!! cool

]]> By: tom http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/05/europe-is-searching-for-its-silicon-valley/#comment-2159481 tom Thu, 10 Apr 2008 10:52:23 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/05/europe-is-searching-for-its-silicon-valley/#comment-2159481 Mandrid for sure Mandrid for sure

]]> By: Haji http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/05/europe-is-searching-for-its-silicon-valley/#comment-2159474 Haji Thu, 10 Apr 2008 10:49:20 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/05/europe-is-searching-for-its-silicon-valley/#comment-2159474 Go to Pakistan and enjoy terrorism :-) Go to Pakistan and enjoy terrorism

:-)

]]> By: Gartner: innovazione IT del terzo tipo | Stalkk.ed http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/05/europe-is-searching-for-its-silicon-valley/#comment-2155883 Gartner: innovazione IT del terzo tipo | Stalkk.ed Wed, 09 Apr 2008 12:17:33 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/05/europe-is-searching-for-its-silicon-valley/#comment-2155883 [...] Tekrati]. Ed esattamente a proposito di Paesi più sviluppati mi è venuto in mente un articolo scritto qualche giorno fa da Erik Schonfeld su TechCrunch, un articolo nel quale si parla di un’Europa alla ricerca della sua Silicon Valley, e nel [...] [...] Tekrati]. Ed esattamente a proposito di Paesi più sviluppati mi è venuto in mente un articolo scritto qualche giorno fa da Erik Schonfeld su TechCrunch, un articolo nel quale si parla di un’Europa alla ricerca della sua Silicon Valley, e nel [...]

]]> By: Marc http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/05/europe-is-searching-for-its-silicon-valley/#comment-2152394 Marc Tue, 08 Apr 2008 22:42:04 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/05/europe-is-searching-for-its-silicon-valley/#comment-2152394 @69 - Zaragoza, please. I would never stop in that hell hole again if the bus between Madrid and BCN didn't stop there. Malaga is way nicer. @74 - Bangalore is your SV. Pretty much already decided. Europe is developed in many different areas. @69 - Zaragoza, please. I would never stop in that hell hole again if the bus between Madrid and BCN didn’t stop there. Malaga is way nicer.

@74 - Bangalore is your SV. Pretty much already decided. Europe is developed in many different areas.

]]> By: Marc http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/05/europe-is-searching-for-its-silicon-valley/#comment-2152350 Marc Tue, 08 Apr 2008 22:33:22 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/05/europe-is-searching-for-its-silicon-valley/#comment-2152350 I agree with Schonfeld's final assessment. I think a central location is so last century. European cities generally don't need to rely on good weather, since most capitals have so many cool things to do even when the weather is bad. Have you ever spent a week in Silicon Valley? They need all the good weather they can get. SV's built environment is the definition of sprawling wasteland. You couldn't pay me enough to work in that suburban ghetto. I agree with Schonfeld’s final assessment. I think a central location is so last century. European cities generally don’t need to rely on good weather, since most capitals have so many cool things to do even when the weather is bad.

Have you ever spent a week in Silicon Valley? They need all the good weather they can get. SV’s built environment is the definition of sprawling wasteland. You couldn’t pay me enough to work in that suburban ghetto.

]]> By: shaft http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/05/europe-is-searching-for-its-silicon-valley/#comment-2149303 shaft Tue, 08 Apr 2008 17:02:19 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/05/europe-is-searching-for-its-silicon-valley/#comment-2149303 Socialist Spanish Prime Minister Zapatero announces his intervention plan, aiming at boosting the economy while keeping social funding high. This is a clear message for the business: Run! I'm joking, but only a little: things don't look promising. Socialist Spanish Prime Minister Zapatero announces his intervention plan, aiming at boosting the economy while keeping social funding high.
This is a clear message for the business: Run!
I’m joking, but only a little: things don’t look promising.

]]> By: shaft http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/05/europe-is-searching-for-its-silicon-valley/#comment-2145306 shaft Tue, 08 Apr 2008 10:26:59 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/05/europe-is-searching-for-its-silicon-valley/#comment-2145306 In some countries which could be real contenders, social taxation on small business is a handbrake. Be careful when calculating because social tax is sometimes not referred to as a "tax" and carefully hidden. Ie. in Poland and Spain it costs €250 monthly just in social tax to run a one-man freelance operation, no matter if income is null. It is €3000/year compared to €250 a year in Ireland or UK. Paired with these countries' low wages it can be a showstopper. - Ireland: low corporate tax, relaxed taxation system, English language. Good if you want to incorporate, but damn expensive to live, which might be a factor at an early stage. - UK: abundance of creative people, potential investors and startups themselves. Bearable taxation, easy on small business. Lots of freelance options in case you're a self-funded garage startup type and extra support is needed. Expensive to live though. - Catalonia (Barcelona) seemed the mecca of web professionals a few years ago, but it just isn't happening there. Rental costs are huge and socialist Spanish government scares business off. I know a web programming team in BCN who are available, their employer is just wrapping up their business. Wages are low, which might attract investors: an experienced Perl developer cashes in €1500/mo, this is just about minimum wage in Ireland. - Poland: Plenty of good developers, cheap to live and operate. Be wary of an unfriendly tax system. In some countries which could be real contenders, social taxation on small business is a handbrake.
Be careful when calculating because social tax is sometimes not referred to as a “tax” and carefully hidden. Ie. in Poland and Spain it costs €250 monthly just in social tax to run a one-man freelance operation, no matter if income is null. It is €3000/year compared to €250 a year in Ireland or UK. Paired with these countries’ low wages it can be a showstopper.

- Ireland: low corporate tax, relaxed taxation system, English language. Good if you want to incorporate, but damn expensive to live, which might be a factor at an early stage.

- UK: abundance of creative people, potential investors and startups themselves. Bearable taxation, easy on small business. Lots of freelance options in case you’re a self-funded garage startup type and extra support is needed. Expensive to live though.

- Catalonia (Barcelona) seemed the mecca of web professionals a few years ago, but it just isn’t happening there. Rental costs are huge and socialist Spanish government scares business off. I know a web programming team in BCN who are available, their employer is just wrapping up their business.
Wages are low, which might attract investors: an experienced Perl developer cashes in €1500/mo, this is just about minimum wage in Ireland.

- Poland: Plenty of good developers, cheap to live and operate. Be wary of an unfriendly tax system.

]]> By: The Next Web 2008 | Timothy M. Kunau http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/05/europe-is-searching-for-its-silicon-valley/#comment-2142027 The Next Web 2008 | Timothy M. Kunau Tue, 08 Apr 2008 02:00:38 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/05/europe-is-searching-for-its-silicon-valley/#comment-2142027 [...] also: The Next Web 2008) (See also: TechCrunch article) (See also: Owl [...] [...] also: The Next Web 2008) (See also: TechCrunch article) (See also: Owl [...]

]]> By: Anthony Kuhn http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/05/europe-is-searching-for-its-silicon-valley/#comment-2140140 Anthony Kuhn Mon, 07 Apr 2008 20:27:08 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/05/europe-is-searching-for-its-silicon-valley/#comment-2140140 Man, it's a comment frenzy on this piece! Well, best of luck to them, but it's not like they can just strike out on their own and just have it happen, in typical EU fasion they'll have to have committees and detentes to make sure it follows all the laws and rules. I think they'll end up with a elerhinopotomous in the end. But hey, good luck with that! Man, it’s a comment frenzy on this piece! Well, best of luck to them, but it’s not like they can just strike out on their own and just have it happen, in typical EU fasion they’ll have to have committees and detentes to make sure it follows all the laws and rules. I think they’ll end up with a elerhinopotomous in the end. But hey, good luck with that!

]]> By: andUNITE Corporate Blog » Blog Archive » andUNITE representing Munich on TechCrunch http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/05/europe-is-searching-for-its-silicon-valley/#comment-2139949 andUNITE Corporate Blog » Blog Archive » andUNITE representing Munich on TechCrunch Mon, 07 Apr 2008 19:29:24 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/05/europe-is-searching-for-its-silicon-valley/#comment-2139949 [...] andUNITE also made in on TechCrunch, probably THE TechBlog in the US (this is why we added such a BIG Logo to this post…). Under [...] [...] andUNITE also made in on TechCrunch, probably THE TechBlog in the US (this is why we added such a BIG Logo to this post…). Under [...]

]]> By: David Stone http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/05/europe-is-searching-for-its-silicon-valley/#comment-2139399 David Stone Mon, 07 Apr 2008 16:55:54 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/05/europe-is-searching-for-its-silicon-valley/#comment-2139399 I'd like to mention Brighton on the south coast of the UK here. It currently has more people who deal with 'build' rather then 'business', however that's slowly changing a little, but when you do start it should make hiring that little bit easier! I co-run a site helping to document what's going on in Brighton as surrounding areas, Sussex Digital http://sussexdigital.com if your interested. Obviously I'm bias though. I’d like to mention Brighton on the south coast of the UK here. It currently has more people who deal with ‘build’ rather then ‘business’, however that’s slowly changing a little, but when you do start it should make hiring that little bit easier!

I co-run a site helping to document what’s going on in Brighton as surrounding areas, Sussex Digital http://sussexdigital.com if your interested. Obviously I’m bias though.

]]> By: Michael B. http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/05/europe-is-searching-for-its-silicon-valley/#comment-2138693 Michael B. Mon, 07 Apr 2008 13:31:21 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/05/europe-is-searching-for-its-silicon-valley/#comment-2138693 I think london would be the best place because of it being a business-like city. -Check out my blog for ways to make money online http://mikesmoneyclub.blogspot.com/ I think london would be the best place because of it being a business-like city.

-Check out my blog for ways to make money online http://mikesmoneyclub.blogspot.com/

]]> By: Back From The Next Web Conference in Amsterdam « The BuzzPal Blog http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/05/europe-is-searching-for-its-silicon-valley/#comment-2138608 Back From The Next Web Conference in Amsterdam « The BuzzPal Blog Mon, 07 Apr 2008 13:07:05 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/05/europe-is-searching-for-its-silicon-valley/#comment-2138608 [...] guy on the stage with him is Erick Schonfeld of Tech Crunch, who hosted the [...] [...] guy on the stage with him is Erick Schonfeld of Tech Crunch, who hosted the [...]

]]> By: Louis van Proosdij Duport » Écosystèmes gagnants… universités, innovation, entrepreneuriat et Capital Risque http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/05/europe-is-searching-for-its-silicon-valley/#comment-2138605 Louis van Proosdij Duport » Écosystèmes gagnants… universités, innovation, entrepreneuriat et Capital Risque Mon, 07 Apr 2008 13:05:51 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/05/europe-is-searching-for-its-silicon-valley/#comment-2138605 [...] “Europe Is Searching For Its Silicon Valley“ [...] [...] “Europe Is Searching For Its Silicon Valley“ [...]

]]> By: Francois http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/05/europe-is-searching-for-its-silicon-valley/#comment-2138442 Francois Mon, 07 Apr 2008 12:13:13 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/05/europe-is-searching-for-its-silicon-valley/#comment-2138442 I think south-west of France is the best place to make it. (Ok I'm from Bordeaux but listen to me) Top 10 reasons: 1. Bordeaux is well known world wide 2. Bordeaux have a lot of engineers thanks to its great graduate schools. Talent is here. 3. Bordeaux has always been international minded because of its history 4. Weather is warm on summer, cool on winter 5. Mountain is 2 hours south and atlantic ocean is less than one hour west. 6. Unlike other cities in France, the State is helping innovative start-ups giving them offices, financial help, plus no tax!!! 7. The number 1 ecommerce actor in France and Europe is here : Cdiscount.com 8. There are a lot of start-ups dealing with nanotechnology, biotechnology, and mobile industry 9. Buying a flat or a house is cheaper than a lot of cities in Europe. 10. The wine is better than in california ;-) I think south-west of France is the best place to make it. (Ok I’m from Bordeaux but listen to me)
Top 10 reasons:
1. Bordeaux is well known world wide
2. Bordeaux have a lot of engineers thanks to its great graduate schools. Talent is here.
3. Bordeaux has always been international minded because of its history
4. Weather is warm on summer, cool on winter
5. Mountain is 2 hours south and atlantic ocean is less than one hour west.
6. Unlike other cities in France, the State is helping innovative start-ups giving them offices, financial help, plus no tax!!!
7. The number 1 ecommerce actor in France and Europe is here : Cdiscount.com
8. There are a lot of start-ups dealing with nanotechnology, biotechnology, and mobile industry
9. Buying a flat or a house is cheaper than a lot of cities in Europe.
10. The wine is better than in california ;-)

]]> By: Rick http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/05/europe-is-searching-for-its-silicon-valley/#comment-2138427 Rick Mon, 07 Apr 2008 12:07:18 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/05/europe-is-searching-for-its-silicon-valley/#comment-2138427 Erick has got it right, there's no need for a centralized Silicon Valley in Europe. The borders are wide-open for business and workers, everybody in the biz speaks english, travel is getting cheaper every day, laws are being harmonized and the internet makes communication real easy. If anything, healthy competition amongst countries to attract tech-industry will prevent the creation of one single Silicon Valley surrogate, but results in rapidly improving climates all over the place. The only major problem is the VC's: US VC's stay in the valley, and European VC's are rare and much more conservative. If it gets easier for European startups to get funded, I predict you will find that we have not already found a way to work around the other perceived disadvantages of not being centralized in a Silicon Valley, but the European way actually has a number of unique advantages. Erick has got it right, there’s no need for a centralized Silicon Valley in Europe. The borders are wide-open for business and workers, everybody in the biz speaks english, travel is getting cheaper every day, laws are being harmonized and the internet makes communication real easy. If anything, healthy competition amongst countries to attract tech-industry will prevent the creation of one single Silicon Valley surrogate, but results in rapidly improving climates all over the place.

The only major problem is the VC’s: US VC’s stay in the valley, and European VC’s are rare and much more conservative. If it gets easier for European startups to get funded, I predict you will find that we have not already found a way to work around the other perceived disadvantages of not being centralized in a Silicon Valley, but the European way actually has a number of unique advantages.

]]> By: Roald Cyberath http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/05/europe-is-searching-for-its-silicon-valley/#comment-2138332 Roald Cyberath Mon, 07 Apr 2008 11:33:03 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/05/europe-is-searching-for-its-silicon-valley/#comment-2138332 I agree with many comments here: great ideas can spring out from about anywhere across Europe. And talent is available, money is available. Still, many improvements would be welcome: critical mass of investors, experienced entrepreneurs that have done several startups, projects more ambitious than national markets, (online) ways to exchange experience and visibility. In this web 2.0 era, a lot of this can happen online more than in the physical world. Roald Cyberath Editor, <a href="http://blog.europe20.com" rel="nofollow">Europe 2.0</a> I agree with many comments here: great ideas can spring out from about anywhere across Europe. And talent is available, money is available.

Still, many improvements would be welcome: critical mass of investors, experienced entrepreneurs that have done several startups, projects more ambitious than national markets, (online) ways to exchange experience and visibility.
In this web 2.0 era, a lot of this can happen online more than in the physical world.

Roald Cyberath
Editor, Europe 2.0

]]> By: Back From The Next Web in Amsterdam « chrisco.us http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/05/europe-is-searching-for-its-silicon-valley/#comment-2138273 Back From The Next Web in Amsterdam « chrisco.us Mon, 07 Apr 2008 11:15:38 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/05/europe-is-searching-for-its-silicon-valley/#comment-2138273 [...] And guy on the stage with him is Erick Schonfeld of Tech Crunch. [...] [...] And guy on the stage with him is Erick Schonfeld of Tech Crunch. [...]

]]> By: Vladimir http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/05/europe-is-searching-for-its-silicon-valley/#comment-2138060 Vladimir Mon, 07 Apr 2008 09:57:17 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/05/europe-is-searching-for-its-silicon-valley/#comment-2138060 @Mike Mertz: true about Romanian talent. And is not just Microsoft. Google is starting to become very populated with Romanians also. Adobe is doing a lot of development in Romania and many companies from Europe are actually based in Romania. It is not just outsourcing (the wages are becoming more and more European) but business development, design and marketing. But we are a little bit under the radar.... @Mike Mertz: true about Romanian talent. And is not just Microsoft. Google is starting to become very populated with Romanians also. Adobe is doing a lot of development in Romania and many companies from Europe are actually based in Romania. It is not just outsourcing (the wages are becoming more and more European) but business development, design and marketing. But we are a little bit under the radar….

]]> By: Fat Man - interactive design & development collective | Silicon Europe http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/05/europe-is-searching-for-its-silicon-valley/#comment-2138056 Fat Man - interactive design & development collective | Silicon Europe Mon, 07 Apr 2008 09:55:30 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/05/europe-is-searching-for-its-silicon-valley/#comment-2138056 [...] article from Erick Shonfeld over at Techcrunch regarding Europe’s answer to Silicon Valley, choice [...] [...] article from Erick Shonfeld over at Techcrunch regarding Europe’s answer to Silicon Valley, choice [...]

]]> By: web hosting http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/05/europe-is-searching-for-its-silicon-valley/#comment-2138006 web hosting Mon, 07 Apr 2008 09:37:39 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/05/europe-is-searching-for-its-silicon-valley/#comment-2138006 Social infrastructure is also one of the key requirement while we talk about infrastructure however Europe has emergent high-tech pool and it would be one of the finest destination for silicon valley. Social infrastructure is also one of the key requirement while we talk about infrastructure however Europe has emergent high-tech pool and it would be one of the finest destination for silicon valley.

]]> By: Barcelonian http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/05/europe-is-searching-for-its-silicon-valley/#comment-2137768 Barcelonian Mon, 07 Apr 2008 07:53:54 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/05/europe-is-searching-for-its-silicon-valley/#comment-2137768 Well... everybody talks about money and corporate tax bla bla bla... but nobody seems to talk about good ideas. And good ideas will prevail any beaurocracy matter. Funding is mobile. People are mobile. So why not Barcelona, where you can get the same as in London for less, and also sunshine! (which makes a HUGE difference!) Well… everybody talks about money and corporate tax bla bla bla… but nobody seems to talk about good ideas. And good ideas will prevail any beaurocracy matter. Funding is mobile. People are mobile. So why not Barcelona, where you can get the same as in London for less, and also sunshine! (which makes a HUGE difference!)

]]> By: Raturo http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/05/europe-is-searching-for-its-silicon-valley/#comment-2137745 Raturo Mon, 07 Apr 2008 07:40:16 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/05/europe-is-searching-for-its-silicon-valley/#comment-2137745 http://www.eioba.com is a Polish app... not bad. http://www.eioba.com is a Polish app… not bad.

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