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> They're only able to address the EU market because they have a large, profitable base in the US. Uber is only able to address any market because they have a

> They're only able to address the EU market because they have a large, profitable base in the US. Uber is only able to address any market because they have a ton of outside venture funding. Don't get me wrong - I agree that the EU is overly protective and that this harms their startup economy, but Uber is not a good example of that point.

exelius 11y ago
That's true of any startup. But I guarantee you in one of those venture funding pitches someone asked them "So most cities have taxi regulations that make what you're trying to do illegal. How are you dealing with that?" Their answer was basically "Fuck 'em, we'll flood the market with cheap product, make consumers love it and the regulators will cave." That would not have worked in Europe if they hadn't already done it in a bunch of cities across the US.
- 001sky 11y ago
  "That's true of any startup" no, not really. its only true specific contexts. which was the point of the previous comment. but you're right in the second part, that's sort of a confidence game...success begets success.
- eli_gottlieb 11y ago
  If Uber is so great, when are they gonna make a profit?
tim333 11y ago
Indeed. There were a load of London based taxi apps eg http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/bills/article-3057608/Six-best-minicab-taxi-apps-revealed-Forget-waving-street-corners-let-phone-work.html http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/bills/article-3057608/Six... The thing Uber has which I think it would only get in Silicon Valley is about $8bn of funding. The biggest UK company I think is Hailo which raised about $100m. It'll be interesting to see how they do in China where the competitors have raised similar vc - Kuaidi raised $950 and I think Uber are spending a billion or so in China.
- ThomPete 11y ago
  So why aren't there more US investors in Europe if it's purely a matter of funding. The answer IMO is that it's not.

exelius 11y ago

That's true of any startup. But I guarantee you in one of those venture funding pitches someone asked them "So most cities have taxi regulations that make what you're trying to do illegal. How are you dealing with that?" Their answer was basically "Fuck 'em, we'll flood the market with cheap product, make consumers love it and the regulators will cave." That would not have worked in Europe if they hadn't already done it in a bunch of cities across the US.

001sky 11y ago
"That's true of any startup" no, not really. its only true specific contexts. which was the point of the previous comment. but you're right in the second part, that's sort of a confidence game...success begets success.
eli_gottlieb 11y ago
If Uber is so great, when are they gonna make a profit?

tim333 11y ago

Indeed. There were a load of London based taxi apps eg http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/bills/article-3057608/Six-best-minicab-taxi-apps-revealed-Forget-waving-street-corners-let-phone-work.html http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/bills/article-3057608/Six... The thing Uber has which I think it would only get in Silicon Valley is about $8bn of funding. The biggest UK company I think is Hailo which raised about $100m. It'll be interesting to see how they do in China where the competitors have raised similar vc - Kuaidi raised $950 and I think Uber are spending a billion or so in China.

ThomPete 11y ago
So why aren't there more US investors in Europe if it's purely a matter of funding. The answer IMO is that it's not.