At the EUVC Summit 2025, Andreas Klinger didn’t mince words.
Europe lacks something every other industry has had for decades:
→ Big spending
→ Big infrastructure
→ Big exits
And without them, we can’t pretend we’re building a sovereign innovation ecosystem.
“Europe needs tech innovation to work—because without it, we will never be fully sovereign.”
Startups Aren’t Small. They’re Strategic.
Andreas opened by flipping a common narrative:
“Startups are too often framed as small, creative, ambitious companies. But in reality—they’re the foundation of sovereignty in tech.”
Europe doesn’t need more “projects.”
It needs repeatable, scalable, founder-first infrastructure to unlock its next wave of global tech companies.
Introducing EO Inc: Europe’s Standard Startup Infrastructure
“The easiest way to explain EO Inc? It’s Deliveroo—but for incorporation. A European legal and operational standard for startups.”
The idea is deceptively simple:
Standardized formation
Recognized structures across all member states
Seamless stock option systems
Taxation only at exit
Bank acceptance by default
“This isn’t just for startups. It’s a company structure any business can use—built for the modern economy.”
And the movement? It’s already here:
16,000+ signatories
Backing from founders of Wise, Bold, and countless unicorns
Support from every major VC fund and ecosystem body in Europe
Growing traction in Brussels
Founders Did This. In a WhatsApp Group.
This wasn’t launched by a ministry.
It wasn’t cooked up by consultants.
“EO Inc was built by founders, VCs, and ecosystem people who literally just got together in a WhatsApp group.”
The message is clear:
You don’t need permission. You need momentum.
The Missing Piece: IPOs in Europe
Andreas ended on a blunt but vital point:
“If one of my founders did an IPO in Europe right now—I’d sue them.”
Why? Because there’s no pan-European IPO framework. No deep exit market. And without exits, VC doesn’t work.
“So please. Someone. Anyone. Get together and fix this.”
He wasn’t joking.
He was inviting.
Final Words: Just Do Things
Andreas closed with the same clarity he opened with:
“You can just do things.”
This wasn’t a stage for platitudes—it was a platform for action.
So if you know a policymaker, a president, a minister—connect them to EO Inc.
And if you care about making European venture work—get involved.
Thanks, Andreas—for reminding us that sovereignty isn’t just about borders. It’s about infrastructure.
Let’s build it.
