Europe vs US: What It Really Feels Like to Build a Startup
A lot of people romanticize building a startup in Europe—cheaper living, public healthcare, the café lifestyle. But if you’re genuinely trying to build a high-growth, truth-seeking, category-defining company, I’d argue you need to be in the US. And I say that as someone who’s lived and built in both.
Here’s why.
The number one difference is the velocity.
Everything here (US) moves faster—product, funding, sales, iteration. Not because people are smarter. It’s because the competition is brutal. Everyone around you is building something impressive, and the bar is high by default. That pushes you—hard.
In France (or most of Europe), you’re often the exception. One of the few doing a startup. It’s easy to become the “king of the hill” in your niche, get invited to panels, podcasts, and dinners. But meanwhile… nothing’s really happening. You’re not growing. You’re not being challenged. And that’s dangerous.
In the US, you’ve got real founder communities.
People you can text for a quick intro, help with pricing, pitch feedback, hiring. There’s this unspoken rule that we’re all in this grind together. You don’t get that same density in Europe. You’re more isolated, especially if you’re not in Paris or Berlin.
A common myth: “It’s easier to raise money in the US.”
False.
Yes, there’s more capital. But the competition is fierce. The ecosystem is mature, investors have seen it all, and they won’t give you a term sheet unless your story and traction are tight.
In France, it’s still early days. Funds are often incentivized to “spray and pray” just to be part of building the ecosystem. That means it’s generally easier to raise a first check—even if your business isn’t that compelling yet. But the round sizes are usually smaller, and the ambition bar is lower.
So if you want a $1–2M seed round, France might actually be easier. But if you’re going for $5M+ from a top-tier fund, the US is the only place where that’s doable at that stage—if you’re good enough.