Who will be in the Select XI?

As Europe’s top footballers prepare to do battle, it’s also an opportunity to celebrate Europe’s top entrepreneurs and startups. So who will be in Europe’s Entrepreneurial Select XI?

With EURO 2024 underway, soccer fans are eagerly awaiting to see Europe’s top soccer players show off their skills on the big stage. While there won’t be any world-class players, it’s a chance to celebrate Europe’s talent, from established stars like Ronaldo, Mbappe, and Kane to up-and-coming players vying for their place in the spotlight.

Europe is rich in football history, and its entrepreneurial environment is no exception. From tech pioneers to disruptive innovators, scaleups to unicorns, the ecosystem boasts a diverse range of visionaries driving innovation and progress, solving some of society’s most pressing problems.

But just like Europe’s smaller footballing nations, some European founders get overlooked when it comes to making it onto the global stage. Here, we’ve selected 11 of Europe’s best entrepreneurs and startups, highlighting the continent’s brightest minds and most innovative companies.

Recognizing Europe’s best entrepreneurs and start-ups

Football managers face tough decisions when putting together their squads for EURO 2024, and selecting Europe’s top 11 entrepreneurs is no exception. Just like in football, where fans crave entertainment, we should focus on startups that bring a spark of innovation and excitement. But at the same time, diversity of thought and background is key, allowing players to excel in different roles and ensuring a well-rounded and dynamic approach.

Unfortunately, some great startup hubs didn’t make it to EURO 2024 and therefore weren’t even selected for this team, such as Taavet Hinrikus, founder of Wise (Estonia), Daniel Ek from Spotify (Sweden) and Johan Brand from Kahoot (Norway). We wanted to give them an honorable mention to show the development and depth of the European startup ecosystem.

With that in mind, my choices are:

Select XI in 4-3-3 formation

#1 Peter Muhlmann, Trustpilot (Denmark)

A skilled manager and reliable presence, Muhlman has built Trustpilot into the world’s leading review site and Denmark’s first tech unicorn. A natural leader and communicator, he motivates his team from behind and, most importantly, keeps the ball out of the onion bag.

Strengths: We are a visionary company that values ​​transparency and consumer trust, building a trusted online review community.

Weaknesses: Manage fake reviews and ensure consistent quality.

#2 Simone Mancini, Scalapei (Italy)

Mancini combines his Italian mindset with international experience to consistently deliver great products. He is unfazed by major competitors in the BNPL space such as Klarna, Afterpay, PayPal, etc. Mancini’s one-to-one and overlapping skills have led to a number of successful acquisitions and partnerships to date, with more to come.

Strengths: An innovator in the “buy now, pay later” space, enabling consumers to purchase high-value items.

Weaknesses: Navigate regulatory challenges in different markets.

#3 – Mariusz Gralewski, Document Planner (Poland)

Gralevski has made incredible progress from a small company to create a global health tech company with offices in Warsaw, Barcelona, ​​Istanbul, Rome, Mexico City, Curitiba and Bologna. A shrewd executive who never misses an opportunity to outsmart his competitors, Gralevski can often be found hustling on the pitch in pursuit of world domination.

Strengths: Revolutionize healthcare accessibility through a comprehensive online appointment system.

Weaknesses: Maintain a personal experience as you rapidly expand around the world.

#Four – Nikolay Storonsky, Revolut (England) – Captain

Storonski is a naturalized player, a team leader and captain. With an unparalleled work ethic and a “take no prisoners” attitude, he has risen to prominence, taking Revolut from start-up to a $33 billion valuation in less than a decade. Though not without criticism, he is a down-to-earth character who doesn’t buckle under pressure and can get it done on “rainy nights in Stoke”, never shying away from a fierce goal-scoring scramble or the occasional sending-off.

Strengths: It is a disruptive force in the financial technology sector, offering a wide range of banking services and aiming to become a super app.

Weaknesses: It is subject to regulatory scrutiny and market competition and does not yet have a UK banking licence.

#5 – Valentin Stalf, N26 (Germany)

A breath of fresh air in the conservative German market, N26’s founders are praised for their outspokenness and ambition on the pitch. They faced some challenges in complying with anti-money laundering regulations but persevered and silenced critics. The company is now focused on winning trophies through sustainable growth and aims to be profitable by the end of 2024.

Strengths: Pioneering mobile banking with a user-friendly interface and innovative features.

Weaknesses: operational hurdles in a diverse regulatory environment and expanding within regulatory constraints;

#6 – Peter van den Does, Adyen (Netherlands)

The Dutch powerhouse has plenty of experience, having led Adyen in 2006. Despite a recent lack of form, with his performances dropping off after the pandemic, he has shown he can overcome tricky regulations and hold his own on the world stage. Now back to almost full fitness, he should be a threat to opponents as a tough-tackling, hard-working defensive midfielder.

Strengths: Powering one of the world’s leading payment platforms, providing seamless transactions.

Weaknesses: Maintaining security and reliability at scale, proving Adyen can continue to perform beyond the pandemic.

#7 – Gareth Williams, Skyscanner (Scotland)

Veteran midfielder Williams continues to impress with his creativity and innovation, proving that a small nation can perform on the big stage. Dependable and down-to-earth, he is popular among his teammates and will no doubt inspire the younger squad members and the Tartan Brigade as the pressure mounts during the tournament.

Strengths: Transform your travel planning with our powerful and comprehensive flight search engine.

Weaknesses: Adapting to changes in travel behavior post-pandemic.

#8 – Felipe Navio, JobandTalent (Spain)

The Spanish-born Navio has recently been seeking success in the United States, where Job&Talent has established a large client base after securing the backing of SoftBank in 2021. He is a fantastic playmaker, great at creating chances for his teammates, has a sixth sense for where everyone is on the pitch, and always gives his all.

Strengths: We revolutionize the recruiting industry with our data-driven job matching algorithms.

Weaknesses: Ensure quality employment and manage rapid growth.

#9 – Daniel Dines, UIPath (Romania)

You can’t write a script like this. Dines is the greatest person to come out of Romania since Gheorghe Hagi. From humble beginnings, he grew UIPath into one of the largest automation companies in the world, becoming the first “bot billionaire”, and helping to transform the ecosystem in Romania, Central and Eastern Europe along the way. A fearless risk-taker, he can create magic in the box and strike fear into the opposing team’s defenders.

Strengths: Leading the way in robotic process automation to improve efficiency across industries.

Weaknesses: Stay ahead of the curve in a rapidly evolving technology space.

#Ten – Nicholas Julia, Solare (France)

One of the younger team members, Sorare has made a huge impact in a relatively short space of time, transforming the sports gaming world and securing partnerships with leagues across Europe and beyond. He excels at creating chances with his natural talent, the only question is his conversion rate. He still has the support of the fans, but can he deliver on his promise? If so, he could be a match-winner.

Strengths: Combining blockchain technology with fantasy football to create a unique gaming experience.

Weaknesses: Understanding Blockchain and NFT Legality: The Potential Battle Rocking the US.

#11 – Jose Neves, Farfetch (Portugal)

A stylish presence on the right wing, Neves has recently faced tough times after Farfetch collapsed and was forced to take it private. Can he overcome these obstacles and re-establish himself among Europe’s entrepreneurial elite? There’s no doubt he’s a crowd-pleaser, but only time will tell if he can put the off-pitch hassles to the back of his mind.

Strengths: Revolutionizing luxury fashion e-commerce, connecting consumers with boutique brands.

Weaknesses: Secure quality suppliers and restore profitability.

Expected Results

Just as EURO 2024 will showcase the best of European football, this selection will showcase the vibrant and dynamic entrepreneurial spirit across the continent. The team could have benefited from the influence of big names like Wise and Spotify, but it’s sure to entertain and inspire nonetheless.

The main challenge will be discipline: with so many strong leaders and personalities, maintaining cohesion and getting everyone to work towards a common goal will be complicated. But their diversity and creativity will make them a force to be reckoned with, bringing inspiring and novel ideas to the table.