![Pinterest](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://uknews.evprotec.com/why-europes-lonely-tech-entrepreneurs-need-help/&media=https://uknews.evprotec.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/130271277_gettyimages-1326320269.jpg&description=Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Leo Apotheker during his short reign at Hewlett-Packard in 2011 Why can't Europe replicate the dazzling achievements of Silicon Valley? "We're not just a bunch of incompetent Europeans who are only good for going to the beach," says Leo Apotheker. Mr Apotheker ran SAP, a German business software company that rose to dominate its field. He also had a short period as chief executive of US giant Hewlett-Packard. He believes Europe has got a lot to offer. Partially retired, the 69-year old divides his time between Paris and London and has spent the last decade advising small software companies. Today he has a new role, as one of a team of tech veterans determined to end Europe's underwhelming record of producing giant technology firms. Mr Apotheker is part of Boardwave, the brainchild of Phill Robinson. Mr Robinson is a British former software boss who has lived in Silicon Valley and retired after a diagnosis of Parkinson's Disease. Boardwave grew out of Mr Robinson ruminating on what he could do to lift Europe's tech scene to Californian levels. Mr Apotheker joined Boardwave the day after its website went live. As Mr Robinson puts it, "we're grateful for the careers we've had and the opportunity to share what we know." Both are driven by a pressing sense of passing time and a desire to spare future generations of tech pioneers the pains they endured. Mr Apotheker points out that Europe does have some leaders. He highlights specialist fields such as industrial design programs and the UK's lead in financial software. London's financial technology (fintech) scene wins his approval. But why aren't there more? Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Silicon Valley is the home to Apple, Alphabet, Facebook, eBay and many others He rejects the traditional argument that finding money is much easier in the US. "I don't think this is about raising capital, Europe is awash with venture capital companies." Investors will sink $50bn into E){kind=link}
Why can’t Europe replicate the dazzling achievements of Silicon Valley?
“We’re not just a bunch of incompetent Europeans who are only good for going to the beach,” says Leo Apotheker.
Mr Apotheker ran SAP, a German business software company that rose to dominate its field. He also had a short period as chief executive of US giant Hewlett-Packard.
He believes Europe has got a lot to offer.
Partially retired, the 69-year old divides his time between Paris and London and has spent the last decade advising small software companies.