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Comment by throw4950sh06 | Hacker News Reader

Any successful startup by European people I ever saw was incorporated in the US or UK. There are few exceptions, of course, but focusing on the US market and avoiding the EU bureaucracy seems to be crucial.

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I believe there have been some success stories from Sweden, but I really have no reason to go and would really not want to live there. I don't know what EU bureaucracy means in my case, since it is very much business dependent. Ease of hiring/firing would be my top concern. Also the ease of having international clients. But my main priority right now is funding.

Mainly VAT and related accounting, which is universal. Also consider that EU doesn't think investment into software development is actually investment - not fully tax deductible. There are ways around that but you're going to need an expensive accountant/tax consultant on a daily basis.

Wow, that puts a damper on the whole thing.

Don't believe they hype. Startups come from all over. You need to demonstrate a sound understanding of your product and your pathway. You need to have other people on board and believing in you. You probably do not need to hire two programmers at market rates and rent GPUs. You need partners. And don't be afraid to cut others in on the deal.

A lot of great stuff is coming from Poland and Czech Republic - hard workers, smart people and low cost of living. You will have to sacrifice something in the early days.

Indeed, and all of the good startups are incorporated in the US. I work in this area (PL, SK, CZ, HU). Definitely don't incorporate here if you can avoid it, it's so much trouble that can be avoided by simply going elsewhere.

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