I meet some inspirational startups - Main contents
A couple of days ago I had a great virtual “hangout” with a group of young entrepreneurs talking about the challenges they face - and some of what the EU can do for them; check it out for yourselves!
And also this week I had the chance to meet a couple of young innovators from one Dutch startup; Yori Kamphuis and Friso Stoffer from cybersecurity company Coblue.
I’m always interested in the culture and reasons that motivate people to set up their own business; and Yori’s tale was particularly fascinating.
After many forays into the corporate world he had the idea of setting up on his own while at University in the Netherlands. Many tried to dissuade him from taking that course (“why not just work in a big company first?”). But he knew that wasn’t what he wanted; he wanted to work for himself, not someone else’s business. With Yori and his classmates Remco Bloemen and Michel Eppink each chipping in just €250, they did it: they set up their own business in cybersecurity . It was a big success - the company is still going strong and now provides packages to organisations from universities and hospitals to large companies and governments. That’s a service our growing digital society really needs - even if too many companies still only recognise the need for proper cybersecurity once it’s too late.
As someone who also worked in Silicon Valley, Yori had an interesting take on the cultural difference between America and EU. And it’s mainly about the mentality and attitude, particularly the attitude towards taking risks. The people you meet in America - whether it’s peers, professors or banks - seem to have more understanding and enthusiasm for the idea that you might be involved in a startup. And they certainly recognise that it’s OK to fail - not something that makes you a pariah.
But it’s also about the framework you operate in. From tax breaks that boost innovative startups; to the attitude financial institutions have to risk; these are all things that can support (or kill) a vibrant startup economy.
Yori’s tale is all the more impressive given that, not so long ago, was he was involved in a terrible car accident that left him unable to walk, talk, see properly, even do basic sums or feel emotions. In short: he was told to forget about any dreams for the future. And yet he stuck by it. In his own words:
I kept repeating the following simple phrases to myself: “No doctor or anybody else will ever tell me what I can and cannot do. That is something I decide. Only me, not any other person.” It made me extremely determined to do and make a success of everything I truly wanted, and still want.
You have to change what you cannot accept, and accept what you cannot change. It is only up to you to decide the moment is there to accept something, not to any other person. Almost everybody is capable of more than he or she thinks, or anybody else thinks about them. Let no one tell you that what you want is impossible. It becomes impossible if you stop believing in it yourself.
Of course, he also realised you can’t everything on your own. With the help of some very dedicated friends, he did overcome all those difficulties. He managed to relearn it all - not just completing his studies, but actually excelling in them, and staying fully in control and in charge of his own destiny. And it was by working together with his team that they succeeded in building a company. They all deserve a lot of credit.
I find that a pretty inspirational story. It shows that you can overcome any kind of challenge. You can learn anything if you’re patient enough to try, and work with others - even how to walk or count. And if you’ve decided being an entrepreneur is the right path for you - you can teach yourself that too. Even if you have to learn step by step; even if you make plenty of falls along the way.
So, in spite of our differences with the US, I know this attitude can be found in Europe too. Among many people, including the young: I know because I’ve met them. That talent is really something to be proud of. It’s something I am determined to support. And I know a lot of others do too - including colleagues in the European Parliament.
Next week I’m off to London next week to meet some more startups - to reward the best upcoming talent at the Founders’ Forum, and meet some more established names in our Startup Europe Leaders’ Club - so stand by for more!
Twitter: #StartupEurope