Europe needs to start telling its story
Adyen co-founder shares crucial lessons for European entrepreneurs
1The Adyen success story
Adyen's co-founder recounts how the company he joined as employee #9 in 2007 grew into a global payments leader. The Amsterdam IPO made it Europe's most valuable fintech at the time. He emphasizes that what he's most proud of is the passionate team that pursued an ambitious vision against all odds.
2New venture: Noah
After meeting his new co-founder Shah Ramezani in 2024, the entrepreneur launched Noah with a mission to build money infrastructure that moves at internet speed. This startup embodies Europe's technological vision, driven by the belief that stablecoins can revolutionize global money movement.
3Europe's quiet strength
The key lesson from Adyen's journey isn't that Europe lacks ambition, but that it tends to hide it. The continent's successful tech companies grew through customer focus and product excellence. However, this disciplined approach sometimes comes at the expense of vision sharing.
4The power of storytelling
The author argues that storytelling is what European entrepreneurs should learn from their US counterparts. People invest in possibilities before outcomes, he notes. Effective vision communication can mobilize talent and capital before tangible results exist.
5Europe's hidden advantages
Fragmented local markets force European companies to think globally from day one. Firms like Adyen, Wise and Revolut never had the luxury of dominating a single market first. Operating with fewer resources can foster disciplined growth that becomes a competitive edge.
6Balancing vision and execution
The author observes that category-defining companies combine great products with compelling visions. He contends Europe must stop hiding its ambition and start articulating its story more boldly. This balance between vision and execution could be Europe's differentiator in global competition.
Original article: Fortune | FORTUNE — Avrupa'nın hikayesini anlatması gerekiyor