Archive for July 2014
Is there still a difference between the US & European Startup Ecosystem?
The ongoing question. A complex, if you will. As an American (nay, a Californian) working in the startup ecosystem in Paris, it’s an inevitable discussion: “You know that so many people would rather go from Europe to California, right?” “Did you come to Europe to launch a company?” And yet, one by one, it seems […]
Forget.me helps you exercise your ‘right to be forgotten’
Europe’s “Right to Be Forgotten” ruling has been gotten much attention since being handled down in May. Not surprisingly, Google has received a significant number of URL removal requests since the law was announced in May – in fact, approximately 70k to date. This number is, of course, expected to jump pretty substantially overtime, […]
MedTech to begin commercialization of its Spinal Surgery Robot in Europe
Toulouse-based Medical Device company MedTech announced today that it has been given the “CE” approval it needed in order to start selling ROSA Spine, the spinal surgery robot that it has been working on. This will be the second robotic device that MedTech has brought to market, following the commercialization of their famed ROSA neurosurgery robot. […]
Starting this fall, Orange to offer two free tech-focused MOOCs
Orange continues to broaden its digital reach, announcing that it will be making its first forays into the MOOC space. Starting in September, Orange will launch two free MOOCs focusing on digital technology. To target a broader population with this initiative, Orange has teamed-up with Pôle Emploi (France’s unemployment agency). The first course will focus on […]
These French Entrepreneurs Building Global Startups: How They Do It
Building a startup is hard. Building a startup that is a global leader in its sector is even harder. While many have argued that the task is more difficult from France, there are some who would care to disagree – there are some who are living proof to the contrary. 3 French entrepreneurs, 3 startups […]
There’s no such thing as a free lunch (unless you’re in France)
Years ago wandering the side streets of Leuven, Belgium I stumbled across some graffiti that read, “Franz Ferdinand Found Alive: WW I A Mistake.” I’m not sure if this mischievous street tag represented the original expression (the phrase was often cited and later even titled a chapter in a book by Ned Lebow who revisits […]
Hardware accelerator Buildit launches call for startups for its second season
At this year’s Connected Conference, we were excited to have on board the first hardware-focused accelerator based in Northern and Eastern Europe, Buildit. While there are hundreds of accelerators around the world, very few focus on hardware. Buildit is looking to change all of that. With a first, successful season under their belts, they’re now gearing […]
Girls in Tech & Orange team-up for the 4th ‘Lady Pitch Night’
Girls in Tech & Orange are teaming up to host the 4th edition of ‘Lady Pitch Night’, a competition which puts the spotlight on Europe’s female tech entrepreneurs. All tech start-ups that have at least one woman in the founding team, are fewer than three years-old, and have their headquarters in Europe can apply for […]
Does bullying increase the risk of cancer?
The recent alumni magazine from my grammar school carried some devastating news: two of my previous classmates are battling cancer. My parents’ expat move had me leave that grade school over 25 years ago, and with a few exceptions, I haven’t really maintained contact with those classmates. I hadn’t even thought about these two individuals, […]
Bitcoin exchange in France shut down by police officers
A bitcoin exchange was dismantled on July 2nd and 3rd in southern France and its three co-founders arrested. 388 bitcoins were seized, which roughly represents 180 000 euros at press time. The authorities’ official communiqué states that this operation was carried out because of the ‘illicit’ nature of this exchange. According to this communiqué, the […]