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Munich-based start-up Marvel Fusion is developing laser-based technology and aims to build a commercially viable fusion power plant <\/p>\nEurope runs on American technology \u2014 and there\u2019s a growing determination from leaders across the continent to change this. Tensions with Washington have escalated following US President Donald Trump\u2019s threats to take over Greenland, bringing renewed urgency to Europe\u2019s push for tech sovereignty.<\/p>\n
Relying on foreign technology \u201ccan be weaponised against us\u201d, European Commission vice-president overseeing tech policy Henna Virkkunen recently warned. In January, the French government said its civil servants would stop using American-owned Zoom and Microsoft Teams, in favour of Viso, an internally developed alternative. Finland even war-gamed a scenario involving a US tech \u201ckill switch\u201d to help prepare for potential disruption. <\/p>\n
Trump\u2019s readiness to unsettle European allies has created openings for some, however. Start-ups positioning themselves as alternatives to US tech groups are emerging from the 180 European start-up hubs highlighted in this Financial Times report. Among them are ambitious groups specialising in complex technologies, or deep tech, such as the satellite launcher Isar Aerospace and fusion power start-ups, including Proxima Fusion and Marvel Fusion.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s a new urgency to create serious deep tech start-ups in Europe,\u201d says Stefan Dr\u00fcssler, managing director of Munich-based hub UnternehmerTUM, in top place of the FT ranking for the third consecutive year. \u201cWe have real issues with our industries in Europe and we need a new generation to revive our economies.\u201d <\/p>\n
Munich-based start-up Marvel Fusion is developing laser-based technology and aims to build a commercially viable fusion power plant <\/p>\n
The statistics are stark: US companies dominate not only cloud computing, but also hardware, satellite internet and, increasingly, artificial intelligence. Europe\u2019s white-collar workforce relies on tools from Microsoft, Zoom, Slack and Google. AI chatbot queries depend on Nvidia chips, while European space companies typically call Elon Musk\u2019s SpaceX when they need to launch satellites. <\/p>\n
Europe\u2019s highly skilled scientists and engineers give it an edge that \u201cother parts of the world don\u2019t have\u201d, argues Proxima Fusion co-founder Martin Kubie. France\u2019s experience hosting ITER, the multinational fusion megaproject, has also helped build a pool of specialist manufacturers, he adds.<\/p>\n
To identify Europe\u2019s leading start-up hubs \u2014 centres that provide programmes to develop and grow companies \u2014 the FT co-operated with the research company Statista as well as Sifted, the FT-backed media start-up that covers European tech. The ranking is based on input from investors, entrepreneurs and academics, with alumni rating hubs on mentoring, infrastructure, legal support and funding opportunities.<\/p>\n