Why European Startups Fail Before They Even Raise Capital

Photo by Markus Winkler on Unsplash

Europe has a vibrant startup scene, yet many founders fall into the same trap: they chase venture capital first instead of serving real demand. The paradox is striking—venture money may be scarcer than in the US or Asia, but the real obstacle isn’t funding—it’s the founder mindset.

Founders often see capital as the engi…