Wait wait wait, here in Europe, we are not strong in internet technology or tax spending, but we can do quite good raw milk cheese, and that's what IS important.
More seriously, EU sometime mess up things, teh big way, but :
1) if you are about to mess up something, don't fail shy, fail big, make some noise. If you win, you deserve your bragging rights.
2) EU did actually create some quite good technology, mainly with EADS, ESA and high speed trains.
disclaimer : I'm French.
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a more serious answer : what did the people around you told you where you started your venture ? I bet exactly what people here say to quaero.
More seriously, EU sometime mess up things, teh big way, but : 1) if you are about to mess up something, don't fail shy, fail big, make some noise. If you win, you deserve your bragging rights. 2) EU did actually create some quite good technology, mainly with EADS, ESA and high speed trains.
disclaimer : I'm French.
edit
a more serious answer : what did the people around you told you where you started your venture ? I bet exactly what people here say to quaero.