EU're Up Next #7
This late Friday edition dives into the EuroStack blueprint, EIB-backed funding for AI, the return of the “veggie steak" drama at the EU parliament, ProjectEurope investment...
✨ This Week's Edition
This edition dives into Europe’s evolving tech agenda—from the EuroStack blueprint to new EIB-backed funding for AI and deep tech. We cover Apple’s App Store shakeup, the return of the “veggie steak” debate, and the launch of collaborative AI Factories. Plus: liveability rankings, fresh funding calls, and a standout event on urban innovation from Torino City Lab.
Before we dive in, a quick spotlight on one of my recent projects (en français 🇫🇷):
In partnership with Le Concentré Vélo, the go-to French newsletter for cycling professionals, I recently conducted a market research study on the German cycling sector. Designed as a meta-study ahead of Eurobike—Europe’s biggest industry fair for the cycling world, held annually in Germany, Frankfurt, from June 25 to 29th—this report breaks down trends, policy, usage patterns, and emerging segments in the German market to inform French cycling entrepreneurs and decision-makers.
📬 Get a taste of the project here, and contact me if there’s a market you’d like to explore in depth for your own community of innovators and founders.
📊 Index of the Week | The Most Liveable city is in Europe
Copenhagen Overtakes Vienna as World's Most Liveable City in 2025
Copenhagen has ascended to the top of the Economist Intelligence Unit's Global Liveability Index 2025, surpassing Vienna, which had held the position for the past three years. The Danish capital achieved perfect stability, education, and infrastructure scores, contributing to an overall score of 98.0 out of 100. This marks a significant shift, reflecting Copenhagen's commitment to creating a safe, well-educated, and well-connected urban environment. 🔗 Explore the report
🗞️ Market Moves & Policy Drama
The EU’s ‘veggie steak’ saga is back on the grill.
France, Spain, and Italy are reviving their push to ban plant-based foods from using meaty names like “steak” or “burger”—sparking another round of Europe’s favorite food fight: what’s in a name when the sausage isn’t real?
🔗 Read more
Apple loosens App Store rules in the EU.
In response to the Digital Markets Act, Apple now allows iPhone users in the EU to download apps directly from developers’ websites—marking a major shift in platform control and opening new distribution models in the single market.
🔗 Read more
Europe’s AI Factories: Catalyzing Collaboration and Building a Trusted AI Ecosystem
The EU is creating a network of AI Factories—collaborative hubs that bring together startups, researchers, SMEs, and large players to co-develop trustworthy AI models. These factories aim to foster cross-border partnerships and accelerate the ethical AI ecosystem across Europe by leveraging shared supercomputing resources and open innovation. This initiative highlights Europe’s strategic focus on cooperation, sovereignty, and inclusivity in AI development.
🔗 Learn more about AI Factories
📡 Policy Decoder: Europe’s Digital Moonshot
For over a decade, the EU has positioned itself as a regulatory heavyweight—setting global standards for platform governance, data privacy, and AI ethics. But a new report, The EuroStack Pitch, signals a strategic shift: Europe is now aiming to build its own competitive tech stack, from chips to cloud to AI.
Why it matters (especially to US founders):
This isn’t just about sovereignty—it’s about market-shaping. As the EU moves from regulating foreign platforms to developing its own digital backbone, there’s a growing demand for tech partnerships, infrastructure co-development, and policy-aligned innovation.
If you're exploring EU expansion, strategic partnerships, or setting up a subsidiary, this report offers a rare window into the technologies and capabilities the EU is actively looking to build:
Chips (RISC‑V architectures, EU fabs)
Cloud & Edge (SovereignCloud, EuroConnect)
AI & Open-Source Software (SovereignAI, EuroOS)
Data Governance & Digital Services (Digital ID, Digital Euro)
The EuroStack initiative creates potential collaboration lanes for U.S. companies that can align with Europe’s goals of resilience, security, and autonomy—especially if you can localize value, create jobs, or co-invest in strategic segments.
🔗 Read the full EuroStack pitch (2025)
Concretely… 💶
The EU is backing its digital ambitions with capital.
EIB President Nadia Calviño announced expanded funding for AI, deep tech, and infrastructure—building on TechEU, a centralized platform to streamline funding opportunities for both research and innovation.
🔗 Read more
💰 Funding Opportunities
🇩🇪 International Climate Initiative (IKI)
Germany’s IKI program funds international climate and biodiversity projects through a global idea competition. The next call for large grants (up to €200 million) is set to launch at COP30 in Brazil this November (Nov 10–21, 2025).
🔗 Explore large grants
🌍 ProjectEurope
Project Europe is a network and fund of investors supporting young European entrepreneurs. They offer an initial investment of €200,000 for 6.66% equity if leading, selecting cohorts of 10 to 20 founders annually—from idea stage onward—to nurture tech companies with strong European roots, even if founders build remote or cross-continental organizations.
🔗 Learn more about Project Europe
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📅 Upcoming Event
Cities Innovate – Episode 05: A European Dialogue on Urban Innovation
This webinar, hosted by Torino City Lab and the City of Turin—European Capital of Innovation 2024-2025—is part of Cities Innovate Series 1.0, an innovative online dialogue platform designed to share best practices and scalable urban innovation models across Europe. More than a webinar series, it’s a movement connecting visionary cities to build a smarter, greener, and more inclusive urban future.
🗓 Date: July 1, 2025
🕓 Time: 4 PM – 5 PM CET | 10 AM - 11 AM ET
🔗 Register here