Why We Shouldn’t Give Up on Europe

It might sound strange coming from someone who left Europe for Asia

When I tell people I am going to defend Europe, they usually raise an eyebrow. I live in Bangkok, I run a software agency in Thailand and I am surrounded by markets that move at full speed. On paper, I should be the last person promoting Europe as a place full of opportunities. And yet, the more I work with European companies, the more convinced I am that Europe is misunderstood rather than behind.

Leaving Europe did not make me less European, it simply gave me a different vantage point. When you build software, hire global talent, and manage teams across time zones, you start seeing your old home with fresh eyes. The things you once found slow or frustrating start looking like stability, structure, and reliability. The things you once viewed as weaknesses start looking like foundations that other regions quietly admire.

So yes, it might sound odd that someone who moved east is now explaining why Europe remains one of the most valuable regions in the world. But distance gives clarity. And from here, Europe looks far more resilient and full of potential than people assume.

Why Europe has a bad name, taxation, rules, and the idea that “Europe has no big companies”

Europe often gets the reputation of being over regulated and over taxed (this is actually just true). Entrepreneurs complain about too many rules, too much paperwork, and too little room to move fast. When you compare this to the US which takes a more free form approach or Southeast Asia where agility is the default, Europe can feel rigid. And because these frustrations are very visible, they dominate the narrative.

Another common belief is that Europe does not produce big companies. We are used to hearing about Silicon Valley giants, Chinese tech leaders, and Indian outsourcing powerhouses. Because Europe is not constantly in the headlines with billion dollar consumer apps, people assume the continent is weak in innovation or scale.

But this perception is misleading. Europe has global category leaders in semiconductors, payments, logistics, industrial engineering, aviation, design software, luxury goods, renewable energy and even AI. These companies do not always trend on social media, but they shape global infrastructure. The issue is not that Europe does not build big companies, it is that it builds them quietly.

A reminder from history, Europe has always been a continent of innovation

Before Silicon Valley existed, Europe set the pace for scientific and industrial revolutions. The printing press, modern banking, early computing theory, the industrial revolution, rail transport, and the foundations of modern science all started in Europe. Innovation has always been part of the continent’s DNA.

What changed over the last decades is that Europe missed the early internet wave. Fragmented markets, cautious investment culture, and slower decision making created a delay. And once you fall behind in network based industries, catching up becomes harder. But this delay does not erase centuries of innovation.

The talent is still there. European universities produce some of the world’s strongest engineers. Research institutes deliver breakthroughs that global companies rely on. Europe’s innovation style is quieter and methodical, but it is still deeply present.

What Europe continues to do extremely well

The stability Europe offers is underestimated. When you work across Asia and Europe, you quickly see the difference. Europe is not the wild west. Rules exist and they provide protection. Contracts matter. Institutions function, mostly. Businesses do not fear sudden regulation shifts that appear overnight. Stability might not be sexy, but it is priceless for long term sectors.

Europe also excels in quality and safety. Whether it is food processing, medical regulation, construction standards, or digital oversight, there is a strong baseline of trust. Consumers know products meet certain standards. In software, this leads to better data protection, stronger privacy frameworks, and a higher expectation of reliability.

The rule of law is another major strength. Investors and companies appreciate consistency. And for industries like logistics, mobility, energy, and manufacturing, consistent environments outperform fast but unpredictable ones. In these sectors, Europe is not following, it is leading.

Europe learned from the early internet bubble, the example of Lernout and Hauspie

Belgium has its own iconic story, Lernout and Hauspie. In the 90s it became one of the world’s most promising speech technology companies. Every Belgian remembers the excitement, it felt like we were putting ourselves on the global tech map. Then everything collapsed because of fraud and unrealistic promises. It was a tough national lesson.

But Europe actually internalized this story. The continent became more cautious and implemented frameworks to avoid similar collapses. Although people sometimes complain about compliance requirements, part of that culture came from these early lessons. Europe decided that stability and transparency matter more than hype.

When you look at the current AI wave, you can see this maturity. European tech firms might move slower, but they build with more trust. And as the world realizes trust is a competitive advantage, Europe’s approach starts to look more intelligent than restrictive.

Europe can change when needed, updated GDPR as proof

One of the recurring criticisms is that once Europe writes a law, it never adapts. But the GDPR updates show that Europe can respond to feedback. The European Commission recently introduced clarifications and improvements to GDPR to make implementation more practical for businesses. This proves that Europe can indeed iterate.

GDPR was the first global attempt to regulate digital privacy. It forced the world to raise standards and it influenced laws everywhere, including the US. The fact that GDPR shaped legislation all across the world (From the US to Asia), including right here in Bangkok, shows the scale of Europe’s influence. Europe sets norms that others adopt.

The updated GDPR framework demonstrates that the continent is not a rigid bureaucratic machine, but a system that can improve when needed. It will never move as fast as the US, but it moves with intention and adjusts when it sees unintended consequences.

Europe still offers enormous opportunities, stability, global companies, and strong education

Despite its reputation, Europe remains one of the most politically stable regions in the world. Governments change, but institutions hold. Regulations are predictable, financial systems are mature, and democratic structures function. For companies thinking long term, this stability removes a lot of risk.

Europe also hosts global powerhouses that often appear American because they operate worldwide, but their innovation engine is based in Europe. Think of ASML, Spotify, SAP, Adyen, DeepMind, Ericsson, Odoo and dozens more. Europe might not shout about them, but they are leading their industries.

Education is another strength. Europe invests heavily in accessible higher education which results in strong professionals. For software agencies like ours, this creates highly competent partners who understand engineering, design, product strategy, and governance.

The Eurasia connection, an overlooked advantage

Europe sits between two economic giants, the US and Asia. This positioning is unique. For software development, logistics, supply chain, and operational partnerships, Europe benefits from being a midpoint. Working with Asian teams is easier than people think, both in time zone and cultural compatibility.

The EU and ASEAN have been strengthening their economic ties. More trade agreements, more digital cooperation, and more opportunities for tech companies to expand beyond their home market. Asia is the next growth engine and Europe is better positioned than the US to engage with it due to geography and political links.

This Eurasian link is one of the biggest strategic advantages Europe has. The world is becoming multipolar. Europe sits right in the middle, and that is leverage, not a limitation.

European companies that lead the world

Europe has leaders everywhere. ASML drives the global semiconductor industry. BioNTech reshaped vaccine development. Siemens and Schneider Electric define global infrastructure. Airbus competes head to head with Boeing. LVMH defines luxury. Ikea shapes global furniture. The list is long and diverse.

In technology, Europe is catching up again. Companies like Lovable are redefining AI assisted development, and they are doing it from Europe. European fintech regulation helped create world class payment companies. Renewable energy companies across Europe are building future infrastructure.

The idea that Europe lacks innovation simply comes from looking at the wrong metrics. Europe is strong, but in categories that do not always dominate headlines.

Why We Do Dev Work enjoys working with European tech companies

At We Do Dev Work, we naturally enjoy working with European clients because the collaboration flows smoothly. European companies value transparency, structured planning, and long term relationships, which aligns perfectly with how we operate. They appreciate clear communication and predictable execution.

European founders also build with purpose. They care about product quality, user experience and the long term impact of what they create. This results in healthier projects where expectations are aligned, processes are respected, and outcomes are sustainable. It makes our job more rewarding because good collaboration leads to good software.

Most importantly, European companies understand global cooperation. They know that combining European strategy and Asian execution creates an extremely strong delivery model. When they partner with us, they get speed, quality, structure, and a team that understands both sides of the world.

If you are a European company looking to scale your software development

If you want a development partner that understands European expectations, that works with transparency, that delivers consistently, and that combines Belgian leadership with Asian execution speed, then we are on your side. We help European companies move faster without sacrificing quality, structure, or trust. And we would be proud to support your next chapter.