In this episode of the EUVC podcast, Andreas talks with Benoit Vandevivere, CEO of Consentio and a driving force behind the eu/acc movement.
Benoit is an advocate for innovation and technology in Europe, frequently speaking on the global stage for tech founders, policymakers, and institutions such as the NYSE and the European Commission. Together, we’ll dive into the origins and mission of the eu/acc movement—what it is, why it matters, and how it’s rallying founders and policymakers to create a unified European startup ecosystem. We’ll explore the root challenges facing Europe, from market fragmentation to scaling barriers, and the actionable solutions that the EU Accelerationism movement proposes to accelerate progress.
We’ll also uncover the latest on key initiatives like the “10-second investment process” and the EU Inc movement, both designed to simplify and strengthen Europe’s innovation landscape. If you’re passionate about driving change and empowering European founders, this conversation is one you won’t want to miss.
Watch it here or add it to your episodes on Apple or Spotify 🎧 chapters for easy navigation available on the Spotify/Apple episode.
100% Automated, 100% Accurate Portfolio Intelligence
Private funds spend ~4 hrs on avg. analyzing every single PortCo update. That's 800 hrs per year for a fund with 50 startups in their portfolio (50 PortCos x 4 updates/year x 4 hrs)!
How about 0 hours?
Synaptic’s PortfolioIQ is your single source of truth for portfolio data, auto-updated from decks, excels, forms and emails. ZERO work for you or your PortCos.
✍️ Show notes
Building Cross-Border Policy Momentum for European Startups
This episode features Andreas and Benoit Vandevivere discussing their efforts to bridge gaps in Europe's startup policy and accelerate the growth of the European ecosystem. Benoit Vandevivere is a seasoned entrepreneur, engineer, and lawyer with extensive experience in building companies and advocating for policy changes in Europe. His unique journey includes launching France's earliest social networks, co-founding multiple ventures, and working directly with European policymakers to create a more startup-friendly environment. The conversation covers the challenges, opportunities, and ongoing work to unify European venture capitalists, founders, and policymakers.
A Movement to Improve European Policy for Startups Andreas and Benoit discuss the importance of creating cross-border partnerships to help Europe thrive as a hub for tech startups and venture capital. The episode emphasizes:
The mission of EU/ACC (European Acceleration Community) to boost collaboration between entrepreneurs and policymakers.
The motivation behind EU/ACC is the recognition that while Europe is rich in talent and innovation, it lacks the coherent policy framework that encourages cross-border growth and scalability. By creating partnerships across different regions, they aim to ensure that founders can scale their businesses without the barriers that typically hinder them in Europe.
The focus on making Europe more competitive by eliminating red tape and outdated regulations, which currently make Europe less attractive compared to other regions like the U.S. The need for a unified effort to address these issues is vital to retaining talent within Europe.
EU/ACC's approach as a community-driven, flexible movement instead of a rigid organization, allowing for faster adaptation and collective action. This flexibility is crucial as it allows EU/ACC to respond to evolving challenges and opportunities without bureaucratic delays.
Benoit's Journey and Insights Benoit shares his experience as an engineer, lawyer, and serial entrepreneur. He talks about his transition from working on social networks to becoming involved in policy-making:
His background includes launching one of France's earliest social networks in 1996, working with AOL, and co-founding Consencio to digitalize the food industry. These experiences gave Benoit a unique understanding of both the opportunities and regulatory hurdles faced by entrepreneurs in Europe.
Benoit has been involved in policy reform across Europe, helping pass important regulations like the startup law in Spain. His motivation for this work comes from firsthand frustration with how bureaucracy stifles innovation. He emphasizes the need to accelerate policy change, sharing his learnings from working with governments and highlighting the inefficiencies that slow down founders' ambitions.
His advocacy focuses on how essential it is to push for systemic changes that simplify doing business for founders and investors in Europe. Benoit believes that without addressing these fundamental issues, Europe risks losing its brightest minds and most promising startups to more founder-friendly regions.
The Urgent Need for Policy Changes in Europe Benoit and Andreas highlight how bureaucracy and regulation often stifle growth in Europe, leading many promising startups to relocate outside the continent. They argue for the need to:
Simplify the process for starting and funding companies across borders. The motivation here is to ensure that startups can access funding easily, regardless of where they are based in Europe, thereby enabling them to compete on a global scale.
Create a 10-Second Investment Process to make Europe a favorable location for venture investments. Benoit explains how Europe succeeded with its 10-Second Bank Transfer System and how similar simplification could be extended to startup investments. The idea is to eliminate the delays that often cause investors to shy away from European ventures.
Make European policymakers aware that outdated regulations are driving companies and talent out of Europe, weakening economic growth. The motivation is to make policymakers understand that retaining talent and capital is critical for Europe’s long-term competitiveness.
Accelerating the Investment Process Benoit introduces the concept of a 10-Second Investment Process, which aims to reduce the paperwork and bureaucracy associated with investing in European startups. Key points include:
The success of initiatives like the 10-Second Wire Transfer System in Europe as an example of what could be achieved. This demonstrates that Europe is capable of implementing swift, efficient solutions when there is a collective will to do so.
The need to make it easy for investors—both from Europe and internationally—to back European startups without facing unnecessary barriers. The motivation here is to remove friction and demonstrate that Europe is committed to becoming a leader in venture capital, comparable to Silicon Valley.
What You Can Do to Help Both Andreas and Benoit call on listeners to get involved in accelerating change:
Founders and investors should speak up about their frustrations with the current system. Pressure from the community is crucial to push for change, as policymakers may not fully understand the impact of bureaucracy on startup growth unless they hear directly from those affected.
Everyone is encouraged to write to their national politicians, share their experiences, and advocate for changes to make Europe more investment-friendly. The motivation here is to create a grassroots movement where the voices of founders and investors collectively highlight the urgent need for change.
Benoit suggests organizing events or gatherings, much like the farmers' protests, to demonstrate the demand for change at a large scale. The idea is to show policymakers that the community is serious about reform and that there is a groundswell of support for these initiatives.
Future Initiatives Andreas and Benoit are organizing a gathering in London to further discuss and push these initiatives. They invite anyone interested in making a difference to join and connect.
London was chosen for its central role in European venture despite Brexit, aiming to gather those who care deeply about making Europe a true startup powerhouse. The motivation here is pragmatic—London remains a hub for venture capital, making it an ideal place to convene influential stakeholders.
The Big Vision Benoit concludes by stressing that Europe should aim to be the most attractive place for startup investment. Simplifying the process, removing friction, and celebrating entrepreneurship are keys to closing the gap with the U.S. The ultimate motivation is to foster an environment where European startups not only thrive locally but also scale globally, positioning Europe as a major player in the technology sector.
Follow & Join the Movement For those wanting to engage, EU/ACC HQ on X (formerly Twitter) is the main platform to stay updated, share stories, and join the movement. The motivation behind this engagement is to build a robust community that can influence policy and support each other in overcoming bureaucratic challenges.
These notes aim to capture the spirit of EU/ACC and the urgency of creating systemic change in European venture. Interested in joining or sharing your story? Reach out to Andreas or Benoit and become part of the acceleration movement!
Some things are made for platforms - music, cabs & pizzas. But fund solutions aren’t one of them. Their individual client focus and regulation-first approach is your guarantee for flexible solutions accommodative to a broad range of deal and client specifics. The kicker? Prices that match any of the shelf-products in the market.
🤗 Join the EUVC Community
Looking for niche, high-quality experiences that prioritize depth over breadth? Consider joining our community focused on delivering content tailored to the experienced VC. Here’s what you can look forward to as a member:
Exclusive Access & Discounts: Priority access to masterclasses with leading GPs & LPs, available on a first-come, first-served basis.
On-Demand Content: A platform with sessions you can access anytime, anywhere complete with presentations, templates and other resources.
Interactive AMAs: Engage directly with top GPs and LPs in exclusive small group sessions — entirely free for community members.
🧠 Upcoming EUVC masterclasses
Advanced small-group sessions that take you from good to great. Lectured by leading GPs, LPs & Experts.
✍🏻 EUVC Masterclass | VC Fund Terms & KPIs: Mastering Metrics for Fund Success
Join us for an in-depth session on VC Fund Terms & KPIs: Mastering Metrics for Fund Success. This workshop will focus on the key performance indicators (KPIs) that drive VC fund performance and the critical timing for measuring these metrics. You’ll gain insights into what matters most to Limited Partners (LPs) and what General Partners (GPs) should focus on internally for effective fund management.
The session will also cover how to set up a comprehensive dashboard, including portfolio tracking, to streamline your reporting and ensure your fund’s success.
✍🏻 EUVC Masterclass | Marketing & VC Fund Narrative
Your brand is everything. It’s what sets you apart, helps you win the best deals, attract LPs, and ultimately drive your growth. For emerging fund managers, building a credible brand and establishing the right marketing foundations early on are game-changers. Yet, many don’t know where to begin.
Your fund’s narrative is what makes the difference between an LP glancing at your deck or deciding they’re ready to write a check. It’s your brand that makes LPs feel confident they’re partnering with someone who knows how to make magic happen.
We’re planning a masterclass on building strong marketing foundations with a top industry leader. If enough people show interest, we’ll make it happen.
🏔️ EUVC Couples’ Getaway on June 5 - 8, 2025
🗓️ The VC Conferences You Can’t Miss
There are some events that just have to be on the calendar. Here’s our list, hit us up if you’re going, we’d love to meet!
GoWest | 📆 28 - 30 January 2025 | 🌍 Gothenburg, Sweden
Investors Summit Bilbao 2025 | 📆 | 11 - 12 February 2025 | Bilbao, Spain
GITEX Europe 2025 | 📆 23 - 25 May 2025 | 🌍 Berlin, Germany
Share this post