Startups will fall behind if Europe stays disconnected

Denmark has just been named the best place to start a business Europe. However, funnily enough the startup environment here is quite disconnected from the rest of Europe. Danish companies tend to expand either to other Nordic countries or go big and enter the US market. Why not enter other European countries?

Even though Danish startup scene seems international, majority of the companies are either purely Danish or at least Scandinavian. However, it is quite difficult to enter the Danish market – and this is where Denmark needs to improve. It is partly a cultural matter; people are not too open to new brands. Of course it is difficult to change people’s mindsets, but it is essential for Denmark to at least try, otherwise the startup development will fall far behind other countries.

Open doors to international talent

In order to keep up with this fast-changing world, Denmark also needs to make sure to open its doors to more international talents and startups and not segregate itself from the rest of Europe. Why go all the way to the US if there are many great and more lucrative opportunities just across the borders?

By reaching to Europe we support growth in Europe and more work opportunities to attract talent here and not always seek for the American dream. We are all connected through the European Union and instead of helping each other on our common market, we are helping other economies not related to us.

Now this problem does not only occur in Denmark but in many other European countries. There is simply not enough internalization within Europe. Why do we try to differentiate ourselves in some areas where we can be so much stronger together?

Entrepreneurs in the EU must support each other

As an entrepreneur myself – I co-founded Sure, which helps find local sustainable businesses – I try to support initiatives that help connect Denmark with the rest of Europe, such as the European Commission’s initiative Startup Europe Week (SEW). The objective of SEW is to fill in the gap of information and raise the awareness of great opportunities within Europe. They believe it is very important to leverage the existing resources and bring them to the entrepreneurs.

The SEW program in Copenhagen will be focused on introducing the startup scene of Europe in Denmark, showing Danish startups how they can be successful in Europe, where to find the right partners and how to get support from the European Union.

So, why seek overseas if there are amazing opportunities waiting for us at home?

Find out more about SEW Copenhagen here.