Where have the big European technology companies gone?

Well they have almost disappeared. If today we look at which are the top leading companies in the world we see that most are North American and a few Chinese. Among the first 20 there is no European, and only 12 among the top 100.

And let’s be clear, the future of companies either is technological, or is nothing.

And today whoever else is investing in technology is China, followed by the USA. Europe is at a second level, and increasingly distant and dependent on these two great powers.

It has been seen clearly in the implementation of the 5G in Europe. It is the Chinese company Huawei that is leading it; without the importance that Nokia and Ericsson had in the past.

On the subject of telecommunications they are also about to displace us.

If we look at Europe as an economic power, it is doing quite badly. It’s becoming more and more less relevant worldwide.

Some voices are beginning to be heard in France and Germany that warn of the decreasing importance of our companies. But from that to taking concrete steps there is a big leap. And we are very slow of reaction.

The next market at risk is the automobile market. It is very clear that its future is going to be electric, and there Waymo, Tesla (if it does not go bankrupt), and Toyota take the lead to Europe. They have been selling hybrid cars for years and experimenting with electric and autonomous. When Europe starts seriously it will take several years of delay.

It is incredible and unfortunate to see the big German car companies satisfied with themselves and without being aware of the technological challenge of the electric and autonomous car. There are experts who predict that in Europe more than half a million jobs will be lost in the automotive market by 2030.

Artificial Intelligence will change the way people work and in that area Europe hardly appears, while the USA and China are fighting with each other to lead the work in this field.

It is to be hoped that European companies and politicians will wake up from this long lethargy. Until recently we did well, but that is not a guarantee that we will continue to do well in the future.

There have been many changes and most Europeans seem not to have heard about them