The Real Problem of Building In Europe

Everyone talks about Europe’s regulations, funding challenges, and small markets, but the real problem is the ego jerk— a subtle, self-reinforcing loop that convinces founders they’re succeeding when they’re actually stagnating.

The Ego Jerk: How It Works

The ego jerk is what happens when founders get praised for small wins that, in more competitive markets, wouldn’t even be noticed. Raise a small seed round or hit a minor revenue target? In Europe, you’re treated like you’ve made it. People congratulate you, articles get written, and it feels like a big deal. But in reality, you’re being celebrated for doing next to nothing.

Why It’s Dangerous

Here’s the problem: when the people around you earn less and think smaller, their standards for success are lower. They’ll celebrate what seems like progress, but it’s all relative to a weaker ecosystem. This creates a feedback loop—you start believing you’re on the right track, get comfortable, and stop pushing for bigger things. Meanwhile, in places like the U.S., founders are being pushed to think 10x bigger and move 10x faster because no one celebrates small wins.

A Real Example

Say you raise €500k in Europe. The local ecosystem treats you like a rockstar. In the U.S., that’s barely a starting point. Over there, you’re expected to raise millions, scale quickly, and keep pushing. European founders get stuck in this ego jerk, convinced they’re progressing when they’re actually falling behind globally.

The Broader Impact

This isn’t just a personal problem—it’s a systemic issue. The ego jerk keeps founders in Europe aiming lower, which is why you see fewer unicorns, smaller exits, and less global impact. The ecosystem rewards mediocrity, and that’s why European startups raise less and succeed less. The ego jerk makes you feel good about achieving very little.