“Europe will not have a vibrant ecosystem unless the markets are unified.”

In the latest episode of Venturing Abroad, we sat down with Michael Jackson, an American entrepreneur and investor based in France, who is one of the most outspoken voices in European tech. With decades of experience investing across Europe and the US, he doesn’t sugarcoat his convictions throughout this conversation: Europe produces exceptional founders and world-class science, but systematically fails to turn that into globally dominant companies.

In this candid and contrarian conversation, Michael argues why Europe continues to underperform on the global tech stage and what steps Europe should take as a collective to change this.

Five of Michael’s key arguments from the conversation 👇

1. Unify capital markets across Europe or accept being a follower

Europe cannot build global tech leaders without unified, deep capital markets. Fragmentation caps ambition before companies even reach scale.

1. Stop confusing science volume with commercial success

Europe has incredible IP. However, commercialization, not research output, determines outcomes. Talent alone is not enough.

1. Be global from day one

Building for a single European market is a dead end. The most successful European tech stories were never country-specific. They were global by design.

1. Europe is sitting on a goldmine of university IP and failing to commercialize it

Less than a fraction of European university research ever becomes a real business. Fixing university tech transfer is one fast way European tech champions can emerge.

1. Let private markets do their job

Venture capital cannot thrive as a subsidized economic development tool. Without real exits, DPI, and competitive pressure, the ecosystem stagnates.

Michael’s transatlantic observations are thought-provoking and underscore ideas that could accelerate and strengthen Europe’s position in the global tech ecosystem.

We share Michael’s conviction that Europe’s university researchers need stronger support in building the right foundations for company creation, commercializing IP, and the know-how of raising capital. This belief sits at the heart of daphni’s Blue Fellowship, where we work with researchers to help turn breakthrough science into globally ambitious companies.

Thank you for joining us, Michael!

Hosted by Audiomeans. Visit audiomeans.fr/politique-de-confidentialite for more information.

“In Silicon Valley, anything can happen. Just because you're the giant today doesn't mean you'll be the giant tomorrow.”

Today, we sit down with Leo Liu, an entrepreneur, investor, and tech leader whose life and career have crossed 16 cities, multiple continents, and more than 10 industries.

From Taiwan to Singapore, Vancouver, Silicon Valley, Shanghai, Beijing, and Hong Kong, Leo has built a world-spanning perspective shaped by early independence, unconventional decisions, and a deep curiosity for people and cultures.

At just 10 years old, Leo made the life-altering decision to move abroad alone: the first of many bold jumps that shaped his “owner mindset,” sharpened his ability to navigate ambiguity, and ultimately prepared him for leadership roles at companies like WebEx, Cisco, Tesla, and Dentsu.

In this conversation, Leo pulls back the curtain on:

• Breaking into the California / Silicon Valley culture
• Best approach to closing deals in China
• Why Tesla’s “dig the hole first” philosophy works
• What Western observers misunderstand China’s tech ecosystem
• Why making friends is the key to international entrepreneurship success

This candid conversation is full of lessons and practical frameworks for anyone scaling across borders, from early founders to global investors to leaders navigating complex cultural and geopolitical environments.

Thank you Leo for sharing your incredible story with us!

Hosted by Audiomeans. Visit audiomeans.fr/politique-de-confidentialite for more information.

“Cultural intelligence is a competitive advantage… listening more and adapting your communication style and understanding to the local etiquette can really open doors.”

In this episode of venturing abroad, we are traveling from Normandy to Hong Kong, as we follow the incredible journey of entrepreneur Ines Gafsi. Driven by her passions and instincts from a young age, Ines’ interest in languages and world cultures drove her to study and work abroad.

After a stint in Canada and London, she made her way to Hong Kong, where she has played an integral role in paving the way for women in entrepreneurship. Co-founding Female Entrepreneurs Worldwide, she shares how she built one of Asia’s leading communities for female founders.

Today, Ines is bringing that same purpose-driven energy to Blissmi: a preventive health and longevity platform for employers. Powered by real biometric data, medical science, and AI, Blissmi helps companies support their teams with personalized, proactive health insights. What began with her own experience navigating motherhood is now reshaping how workforces understand and manage their well-being, shifting care from reactive to preventive.

In our conversation, Ines details:

• Business communication nuances in Asia
• How to raise funds in Hong Kong
• The power of personal branding
• The tech landscape of APAC
• Creating impact by filling gaps

Her key advice for entrepreneurs? Dream Big.

Thank you for joining, Ines!

Hosted by Audiomeans. Visit audiomeans.fr/politique-de-confidentialite for more information.