Europe should shift focus from US tech giants to homegrown champions embodied by the BRIOCHE acronym
Executive summary: Sifted published an article proposing the acronym BRIOCHE (Bolt, Revolut, Iceye, Oura, Celonis, Helsing, ElevenLabs) as Europe's answer to FAANG, urging investors and policymakers to back these seven scale‑ups. Reframing Europe’s tech ambition around domestic winners could redirect venture capital, shape EU industrial policy, and affect the continent’s competitiveness in global tech markets.
Who is involved: The piece cites Sifted editors, references the seven BRIOCHE companies, and addresses European venture capitalists, policymakers, and startup founders.
Likely next: Expect increased VC allocations to BRIOCHE‑type firms, possible EU‑level scale‑up fund initiatives, and broader debate on creating a European tech champion narrative.
Sifted’s article proposes the acronym BRIOCHE—Bolt, Revolut, Iceye, Oura, Celonis, Helsing and ElevenLabs—as Europe’s answer to FAANG, urging investors and policymakers to back these seven scale‑ups. The piece frames the narrative as a strategic pivot toward nurturing domestic tech champions rather than relying on imported US giants. While the argument is persuasive, its impact will depend on whether capital, policy and market conditions align to support such a coordinated push.
Timeline
- — Forget FAANG. Europe needs to bet on BRIOCHE (Sifted — EU startups)
Analysis — what this means
Likely next events
- More VC funds announce dedicated BRIOCHE‑focused investment strategies
- EU officials discuss expanding the Scaleup Fund to include BRIOCHE sectors
- BRIOCHE companies report higher hiring and expansion plans
- Policy debates emerge on state aid rules for tech champions
Sectors affected
- FinTech
- SpaceTech
- HealthTech
- Enterprise Software
Regulatory implications
- Guidelines for public‑backed venture funds targeting homegrown champions
- Updated EU competition scrutiny for dominant tech platforms
Historical parallels
- The original FAANG acronym that grouped US tech leaders
- The BRIC grouping of emerging‑market economies
- The BAT acronym for China’s internet giants
Key entities
Sources
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