The tech industry is huge — and Europe’s share of it is very small

illuminem summarises for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on The Wall Street Journal or enjoy below:

🗞️ Driving the news: Europe is falling further behind in the global tech race, with few major players to rival U.S. and Chinese giants like Apple, Google, or Alibaba
• Startups and entrepreneurs cite risk-averse business culture, fragmented markets, and burdensome regulations as key factors driving tech talent and investment out of the continent
• Han Xiao, a Berlin-based AI founder, is the latest example — relocating his company to the U.S. for better growth opportunities

🔭 The context: Despite being home to world-class universities and a wealthy consumer base, Europe has struggled to scale technology companies into global leaders
• U.S. tech giants continue to dominate the sector, and Apple’s market valuation now exceeds that of the entire German stock market
• European firms face slower funding cycles, limited domestic venture capital, and stricter regulations — especially in data, competition, and AI

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Europe’s lag in technology development has implications for sustainability and digital transformation
• Without strong local players, the EU risks becoming a passive consumer of digital infrastructure rather than a leader in green tech, AI for climate modelling, or smart energy systems
• This also affects its capacity to regulate for environmental standards from a position of influence

⏭️ What's next: European policymakers are under pressure to rethink innovation strategies, including simplifying regulations, deepening capital markets, and fostering cross-border tech ecosystems
• The European Commission has launched several initiatives, such as the EU Chips Act and AI Act, but stakeholders warn that without bold reform and investment, Europe’s role in the digital economy — and its ability to shape sustainable tech solutions — will remain limited

💬 One quote: “Apple’s market value is bigger than the entire German stock market” — a striking measure of Europe’s digital lag

📈 One stat: Apple’s valuation exceeds $3 trillion, surpassing the total market capitalization of Germany’s DAX 40 index, Europe’s largest economy

See on illuminem's Data Hub™ the sustainability performance of Apple, SAP, and ASML

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