3 ms·

Usually in Europe/Japan/Australia/Canada there are fewer entrepreneurs. Maybe its because a wider safety net and narrower differences between rich and poor make

by rb808 8y ago

Usually in Europe/Japan/Australia/Canada there are fewer entrepreneurs. Maybe its because a wider safety net and narrower differences between rich and poor makes the leap to start a business less rewarding and worthwhile. Maybe people are less comfortable with taking risks.

visarga 8y ago
Or maybe the investors don't have the same appetite for risk in Europe.
- rb808 8y ago
  Maybe. It just isn't obvious to me the correlation OP talked about is real.
ridewinter 8y ago
Sweden is second only to Silicon Valley when it comes to unicorns. My friends there actually credit their safety net - it’s easier to take risks when you know if you fail you won’t end up sleeping in the street. https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2017/10/why-does-sweden-produce-so-many-startups/ https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2017/10/why-does-sweden-produ...
- icelancer 8y ago
  > Sweden is second only to Silicon Valley when it comes to unicorns This is like saying the Libertarian Party is the third largest political party in the United States. Yeah, it's true, but...
- buboard 8y ago
  makes it easier for companies to hire/fire people too
woodpanel 8y ago
Founder from Europe here. When I made my decision to go self-employed most people and relatives thought I was foolish. The more so, the lower your/their social class or status is. I too relate this mindset to our safety net. But: The upside of being employed is very little risk of anything and a lot of paperwork/bureaucracy is done for you (Healthcare, unemployment insurance, retirement, accidents, your taxes etc). You'll pay a hefty premium for being employed but then again most others do too. So going self-employed is not just a bad deal in terms of risk it is also bad in terms of non-income related extra-work you have to take on.

3 ms·

Usually in Europe/Japan/Australia/Canada there are fewer entrepreneurs. Maybe its because a wider safety net and narrower differences between rich and poor make

by rb808 8y ago

visarga 8y ago
Or maybe the investors don't have the same appetite for risk in Europe.
- rb808 8y ago
  Maybe. It just isn't obvious to me the correlation OP talked about is real.
ridewinter 8y ago
Sweden is second only to Silicon Valley when it comes to unicorns. My friends there actually credit their safety net - it’s easier to take risks when you know if you fail you won’t end up sleeping in the street. https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2017/10/why-does-sweden-produce-so-many-startups/ https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2017/10/why-does-sweden-produ...
- icelancer 8y ago
  > Sweden is second only to Silicon Valley when it comes to unicorns This is like saying the Libertarian Party is the third largest political party in the United States. Yeah, it's true, but...
- buboard 8y ago
  makes it easier for companies to hire/fire people too
woodpanel 8y ago
Founder from Europe here. When I made my decision to go self-employed most people and relatives thought I was foolish. The more so, the lower your/their social class or status is. I too relate this mindset to our safety net. But: The upside of being employed is very little risk of anything and a lot of paperwork/bureaucracy is done for you (Healthcare, unemployment insurance, retirement, accidents, your taxes etc). You'll pay a hefty premium for being employed but then again most others do too. So going self-employed is not just a bad deal in terms of risk it is also bad in terms of non-income related extra-work you have to take on.