In a European startup ecosystem still grappling with a slow pivot toward AI dominance, the conversation with Emmet King, Founding Partner at J12, struck me as energizing and full of possibilities. J12’s focus on early-stage investments across Stockholm, Paris, and London makes it uniquely positioned to influence how Europe moves forward in building systems that can compete globally in artificial intelligence, and the insights shared are worth dissecting closely.
Let’s start with an often-overlooked aspect, Europe’s constraints. One recurring theme in the startup world is capital scarcity. J12’s own investment thesis pulls a stark contrast here when comparing Europe to regions like the US. Not only does Emmet’s firm look for “highly technical founders” with deep skill sets, but they also aim to back projects designed for long-term durability rather than shallow, hype-driven apps. It’s a smart move, one that acknowledges the limitations startups face when trying to scale technologies that demand hard-to-access resources like compute power and energy.
Now, let’s dig into specifics. J12 seems laser-focused on infrastructure-heavy AI concepts for a good reason. Take compute capacity as an example. Energy-hungry models need access to affordable power, and let’s face it, Europe lags far behind in this area. It's a challenge that, if solved, could be monumental in growing tech ecosystems that don’t default to outsourcing their brightest projects elsewhere.
Another standout is J12’s differentiated approach to talent. Emmet mentioned Europe’s world-class engineering and scientific capabilities, something I’ve seen firsthand in conversations with founders across Dutch hubs like Eindhoven and international accelerators. The tough question is whether the governmental policy will finally act as a driver and not a barrier to unleashing that talent at scale. Visas, energy infrastructure, public-private partnerships for funding smarter solutions, it’s an uphill battle, but Emmet’s take was clear. Teams succeeding in Europe will likely put trust, privacy, and productivity front and center.
Emmet debunked another popular misconception about AI investments, the bubble narrative. Instead of frothy speculative projects, the real action lies in startups investing heavily in defensible systems of value creation, particularly those building on top of existing infrastructure. It reminded me of where blockchain was ten years ago, lots of flashy, short-lived concepts but very few sustainable models. AI in Europe could either repeat that mistake or find a path forward through slow, deliberate growth.
It’s worth reflecting on how to approach building AI startups effectively in Europe. Here are some actionable steps for emerging founders:
A Short Guide for Founders
- Focus on Infrastructure: Europe is shifting toward foundational technologies as key drivers. Startups should avoid surface-level concepts like wrapper tools for existing AI and push instead for models requiring durable, defensible infrastructure.
- Secure Strategic Resources Early: Beyond funding, founders need access to energy, compute, and data-sharing arrangements. Building relationships with local governments and energy providers might be tricky but critical.
- Champion Privacy and Productivity: Use Europe’s unique regulatory approach to data privacy as a competitive advantage. Let it shape trust-driven strategies in enterprise AI.
- Build Long-Term Partnerships: Seek VCs like J12 with a thesis-driven investment style that doesn’t shy away from deep tech. Whether a venture firm or angel investor, having those collaborators onboard is more likely to result in relevant funding.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Overestimating Quick Returns: Infrastructure AI takes time to mature; skipping steps for faster deployment often dilutes scalability.
- Ignoring Regional Challenges: Capital might be tighter in Europe, but ignoring market realities like energy bottlenecks will accelerate failure.
- Skipping Talent Prioritization: A lightweight startup won’t go far without prioritizing the recruitment and retention of highly technical teams.
The European AI startup scene might be at a crossroads, but collaboration, across VCs, policymakers, and tech entrepreneurs, ushers in hope. I’m convinced that firms like J12 will play a pivotal role in steering the region toward sustainable leadership in AI-driven deep-tech projects. Their investments tell an exciting story, one that challenges Europe’s traditionally conservative tech sector to innovate harder, faster, and smarter.
You can explore more about J12’s investment vision through their official site. And if you're curious about how talent and resources might shape the next wave of startups in cities like London and Paris, listening to Emmet King on EU-Startups Podcast is time well spent.
European startups have plenty of obstacles ahead, but the solutions are already visible if we look at the right examples.
FAQ
1. What is J12 Ventures, and what are their focus areas?
J12 Ventures is a venture capital firm that invests in early-stage AI and frontier-tech startups across Stockholm, London, and Paris. Their focus lies in supporting highly technical founders and building infrastructure-heavy, durable startups. Learn more about J12 Ventures
2. What are the main challenges for AI startups in Europe?
European AI startups face challenges such as limited access to capital, energy constraints for compute-heavy projects, and slow regulatory adaptations. These factors affect scaling and the development of globally competitive projects. Explore these challenges
3. How does J12 Ventures differentiate itself from other VC firms?
J12 Ventures sets itself apart by prioritizing long-term value creation through investments in defensible infrastructure rather than short-lived app projects. They also strongly focus on Europe’s trust-first and productivity-driven strategies. Discover J12's unique approach
4. What are the primary advantages for AI talent in Europe?
Europe boasts world-class engineering and scientific talent, which provides a strong foundation for developing innovative AI solutions. However, better alignment between capital, energy, and policy is needed to leverage this talent effectively.
5. What is Europe’s competitive edge in AI development?
Europe’s competitive advantage lies in its strict focus on trust, data privacy, and enterprise-focused productivity, setting it apart from tech leaders in the US and Asia. Learn more about Europe's AI potential
6. Is there an AI “bubble” in Europe, as seen in other markets?
Emmet King of J12 debunks the AI “bubble” myth, highlighting that sustainable value lies in defensible systems and deep technical infrastructure, rather than frothy, short-term speculative projects. Discover Emmet King's analysis
7. What role does compute capacity and energy infrastructure play in AI startup success?
Access to affordable energy and compute capacity is critical for AI development. These resources now act as strategic levers, making energy and compute availability vital for startup scalability in Europe.
8. What should founders prioritize when launching AI startups in Europe?
Founders should focus on foundational technologies, secure strategic resources like compute and energy early, and use Europe’s trust and privacy regulations as a competitive advantage. Check out actionable steps for founders
9. Can government policy enable innovation in Europe’s AI ecosystem?
Governmental policies in energy infrastructure, visa programs, and public-private partnerships are potential drivers of growth. However, delays in aligning policy with industry needs create barriers for startups.
10. How can I listen to Emmet King’s full insights on the EU-Startup Podcast?
You can listen to the full episode featuring Emmet King, where he discusses Europe’s AI landscape and J12’s role in shaping it. Listen to the podcast
About the Author
Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur. Throughout her startup experience she has applied for multiple startup grants at the EU level, in the Netherlands and Malta, and her startups received quite a few of those. She’s been living, studying and working in many countries around the globe and her extensive multicultural experience has influenced her immensely.
Violetta Bonenkamp's expertise in CAD sector, IP protection and blockchain
Violetta Bonenkamp is recognized as a multidisciplinary expert with significant achievements in the CAD sector, intellectual property (IP) protection, and blockchain technology.
CAD Sector:
- Violetta is the CEO and co-founder of CADChain, a deep tech startup focused on developing IP management software specifically for CAD (Computer-Aided Design) data. CADChain addresses the lack of industry standards for CAD data protection and sharing, using innovative technology to secure and manage design data.
- She has led the company since its inception in 2018, overseeing R&D, PR, and business development, and driving the creation of products for platforms such as Autodesk Inventor, Blender, and SolidWorks.
- Her leadership has been instrumental in scaling CADChain from a small team to a significant player in the deeptech space, with a diverse, international team.
IP Protection:
- Violetta has built deep expertise in intellectual property, combining academic training with practical startup experience. She has taken specialized courses in IP from institutions like WIPO and the EU IPO.
- She is known for sharing actionable strategies for startup IP protection, leveraging both legal and technological approaches, and has published guides and content on this topic for the entrepreneurial community.
- Her work at CADChain directly addresses the need for robust IP protection in the engineering and design industries, integrating cybersecurity and compliance measures to safeguard digital assets.
Blockchain:
- Violetta’s entry into the blockchain sector began with the founding of CADChain, which uses blockchain as a core technology for securing and managing CAD data.
- She holds several certifications in blockchain and has participated in major hackathons and policy forums, such as the OECD Global Blockchain Policy Forum.
- Her expertise extends to applying blockchain for IP management, ensuring data integrity, traceability, and secure sharing in the CAD industry.
Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).
She is the founder of Fe/male Switch, a startup game that encourages women to enter STEM fields, and also leads CADChain, and multiple other projects like the Directory of 1,000 Startup Cities with a proprietary MeanCEO Index that ranks cities for female entrepreneurs. Violetta created the "gamepreneurship" methodology, which forms the scientific basis of her startup game. She also builds a lot of SEO tools for startups. Her achievements include being named one of the top 100 women in Europe by EU Startups in 2022 and being nominated for Impact Person of the year at the Dutch Blockchain Week. She is an author with Sifted and a speaker at different Universities. Recently she published a book on Startup Idea Validation the right way: from zero to first customers and beyond, launched a Directory of 1,500+ websites for startups to list themselves in order to gain traction and build backlinks and is building MELA AI to help local restaurants in Malta get more visibility online.
For the past several years Violetta has been living between the Netherlands and Malta, while also regularly traveling to different destinations around the globe, usually due to her entrepreneurial activities. This has led her to start writing about different locations and amenities from the POV of an entrepreneur. Here’s her recent article about the best hotels in Italy to work from.
About the Publication
Fe/male Switch is an innovative startup platform designed to empower women entrepreneurs through an immersive, game-like experience. Founded in 2020 during the pandemic "without any funding and without any code," this non-profit initiative has evolved into a comprehensive educational tool for aspiring female entrepreneurs.The platform was co-founded by Violetta Shishkina-Bonenkamp, who serves as CEO and one of the lead authors of the Startup News branch.
Mission and Purpose
Fe/male Switch Foundation was created to address the gender gap in the tech and entrepreneurship space. The platform aims to skill-up future female tech leaders and empower them to create resilient and innovative tech startups through what they call "gamepreneurship". By putting players in a virtual startup village where they must survive and thrive, the startup game allows women to test their entrepreneurial abilities without financial risk.
Key Features
The platform offers a unique blend of news, resources,learning, networking, and practical application within a supportive, female-focused environment:
- Skill Lab: Micro-modules covering essential startup skills
- Virtual Startup Building: Create or join startups and tackle real-world challenges
- AI Co-founder (PlayPal): Guides users through the startup process
- SANDBOX: A testing environment for idea validation before launch
- Wellness Integration: Virtual activities to balance work and self-care
- Marketplace: Buy or sell expert sessions and tutorials
Impact and Growth
Since its inception, Fe/male Switch has shown impressive growth:
- 5,000+ female entrepreneurs in the community
- 100+ startup tools built
- 5,000+ pieces of articles and news written
- 1,000 unique business ideas for women created
Partnerships
Fe/male Switch has formed strategic partnerships to enhance its offerings. In January 2022, it teamed up with global website builder Tilda to provide free access to website building tools and mentorship services for Fe/male Switch participants.
Recognition
Fe/male Switch has received media attention for its innovative approach to closing the gender gap in tech entrepreneurship. The platform has been featured in various publications highlighting its unique "play to learn and earn" model.