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This is probably the most important bifurcation point in the history of European tech. Today's malaise and grasping for direction has much to do with the demise of this pioneering enterprise. And the fact that it does not appear to have been pre-ordained adds poignancy.

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European tech was doomed in late the 90s when the EU decided to throw in with Microsoft et al instead of supporting building out a homegrown alternative ecosystem based around open source software.

No, the national champions model is the problem. If Apple failed the US still has Android and potentially many other startups. Europe just doesn't have the risk capital or ecosystem.

Yes, but now it doesn't even have national champions. The last one standing with some pretense at being still with the times is probably ASML.

One wonders whether at any point anybody will ask any tough questions about where Europe is heading as far as technology goes.

I would put Novo Nordisk up there too. Not sure how Eli Lilly is doing so much better though, which I presume for both is due to advancing GLP-1s, but I thought Novo was first to market.

Lots of people are. The answer appears to be “down the drain”.

People forget that for a long time ASML was government backed

Which is exacly why Finland should have blocked the MS deal. Nokia was a HUGE percentage of Finland's GDP.

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