Revolut, Mistral and Wayve founders back Balderton’s ‘Built in Europe’ push
What happened
Balderton Capital launched a campaign called Built in Europe aimed at shifting the narrative around European tech. The push is backed by founders from Revolut, Mistral, and Wayve, who want to stop holding European startups up as lagging behind Silicon Valley. Instead, they highlight how European companies are delivering exits and building solid tech ventures. The campaign challenges the widespread perception that Europe is only catching up rather than competing on equal footing.
Why it matters
European tech has consistently been framed as a secondary market, which influences investor behavior, startup valuations, and founder confidence. Balderton’s campaign aims to rewrite that story, which could strengthen funding flows and encourage more ambitious scaling from local startups. For operators and founders, a stronger European identity backed by influential founders and investors could reduce the hype gap with U.S. peers and pressure funds to support more aggressive growth. For investors, this means adjusting expectations about risk and potential returns in European markets.
What to watch next
Track how Balderton and other investors’ messaging influences future funding rounds and exits in Europe. Look for shifts in deal sizes, valuation levels, and the types of startups emerging as market leaders. Founders should watch whether this narrative shift results in more confidence and capital for ambitious European startups with global reach. For the broader ecosystem, it will be key to see if this campaign drives a measurable change in European tech’s brand value and startup ecosystem maturity.
AI Quick Briefs Editorial Desk
