What are your experiences with entrepeneurship in Europe?

[Daemonyos]

It feels like most of the information on the internet is based on the US.
I mean, we don't have something like a 401k in Austria, the kinds of taxes we have are different and our morals and (start-up) culture are not in anyway similar.
Entrepeneurship is seen as a red flag - working 40 years for a company is the creme de la creme for the people here.
And there are not many large companies here - also literally no comparable chances for the people that want a normal career compared to the brutally high pay some specialists get in the US.

At least college is free and really good. You even get paid if you don't earn enough money to live.

For real guys, I understand why location independent entrepeneurship, e.g. freelancing, is the thing right now.

 

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[Strm]

Hey.

I'm based in Estonia and I started an ecommerce store a couple months ago. Our environment and government with its taxing here is rather supportive to entrepreneurship, especially considering our young age as a free nation.

If people see it as a red flag and not a lot of companies, that should be an opportunity for you, no?

 

[Daemonyos]

Hey.

I'm based in Estonia and I started an ecommerce store a couple months ago. Our environment and government with its taxing here is rather supportive to entrepreneurship, especially considering our young age as a free nation.

If people see it as a red flag and not a lot of companies, that should be an opportunity for you, no?

There are many companies - just not many "large" ones.
Most companies here are max 20 people... from what I've experienced and what I've learned we got problems with service quality.
It's just a hunch, but improving on known concepts would help this region the most.

 

[Dwight Schrute]

I mean, we don't have something like a 401k in Austria

eh..."Pensionsvorsorge"?

the kinds of taxes we have are different

We got revenue tax and income tax....the numbers might differ a bit from the US, but the system is essentially the same

our morals and (start-up) culture are not in anyway similar.

Be glad. Although, have you checked out some startups in Vienna? Much focus on a cozy & diverse office "culture" and free fruit for employees, little focus on actual value.

Entrepeneurship is seen as a red flag - working 40 years for a company is the creme de la creme for the people here.

Red flag...for narrow minded family members and the scripted majority of the population. Same as in the US of A.

And there are not many large companies here - also literally no comparable chances for the people that want a normal career compared to the brutally high pay some specialists get in the US.

How many do you want/need? There's RedBull, KTM, Glock, Swarovsky, .... plenty of companies that are KILLING IT on a global level, then there's no shortage of privately owned companies that are basically invisible to the public, but making really good money, some hundreds of millions a year with a tight focus on their industry/niche only.
Some are considered export world champions.
And a lot of small businesses. They form the majority. Just like in ...the US?

The Austrian government encourages and helps people who want to start a business through RIZ and the WKÖ. We have our own little version of Shark Tank airing on Puls4, one of it's investors sold his little app for €220Mio to Adidas.
And then there's also no shortage of private investors.

There's more opportunity than one person could ever seize, you just don't see it yet.
The problem isn't on the map, it's between your ears.

Get your friggin' head right!

 

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[YanC]

The grass is always greener in the neighbor's backyard... You're lucky enough to live in a developed and industrialized country with a high standard of living and a market economy.

Details may vary, but principles are the same. Nothing prevents you from making money where you are.

 

[Daemonyos]

Get your friggin' head right!

You are absolutely right.
Thanks for waking me up, looks like I'm not as conscious of my surroundings as I thought.

 

[RazorCut]

eh..."Pensionsvorsorge"?
There's more opportunity than one person could ever seize, you just don't see it yet.

The problem isn't on the map, it's between your ears.

Get your friggin' head right!

Absolutely nailed it.

The more you look (with an expectant eye) the more you will see.

 

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