In 2025, Europe is taking significant strides toward digital sovereignty, with France and Germany collaborating with Mistral AI and SAP to revolutionize public services through artificial intelligence. The initiative addresses efficiency in public administration and positions Europe as a key player in AI innovation. As this movement unfolds, it opens up unique opportunities for startups, entrepreneurs, and business founders wanting to be part of this transformation.
Enhancing European Sovereignty Through Technology
The partnership between Mistral AI, a Paris-based leader in large-language models, and SAP, a German enterprise software giant, signifies a turning point for European innovation. By rolling out advanced AI-driven solutions in French and German public sectors, this collaboration aims to reduce dependency on American technologies, such as Microsoft or OpenAI, and emphasize European tech-first strategies.
France and Germany intend to focus on sectors like financial management, workforce training, and cloud-native solutions, all fields ripe for disruption through AI. With deployment slated for 2026 to 2030, these governments hope to lead by example, promoting transparency, cybersecurity, and efficiency across public services.
Opportunities for Entrepreneurs: Tap Into the AI Wave
As European governments deepen their commitment to bolstering local AI capabilities, entrepreneurs should brace for opportunities across procurement, partnerships, and funding. Here’s how you can align your startup strategy with these initiatives:
Top 5 Ways Entrepreneurs Can Benefit:
- Collaborate with Local Innovators
Join forces with Mistral AI or similar startups processing European data securely. Mistral has raised over €2.8 billion since its launch in 2023, securing an €11.7 billion valuation, making it a key player to watch. - Access Government Contracts
France and Germany’s preference for local vendors signals lucrative public sector opportunities for startups. Using tools like the F/MS AI Grant Finder, identifying grants and contracts that align with your AI product innovation becomes faster and efficient. - Develop Scalable AI Applications
With SAP opening its Business Technology Platform (BTP) to integrate local AI services, startups could design scalable products for education systems, healthcare, and municipal services. - Build in Compliance-Friendly Sectors
Leverage Europe’s stringent yet transparent digital regulations. French startups like PlayPal, founded by Violetta Bonenkamp, are already thriving in compliance-driven environments by providing conversational AI tailored to individual users. - Showcase Innovation at EU Events
Participate in Europe-wide summits like the Berlin Summit on Digital Sovereignty to pitch your ideas, network with policymakers, and gain exposure to decision-makers focused on cutting-edge solutions.
Entrepreneurs: Don’t Forget the Details
Navigating the AI ecosystem requires attention to detail and strategic planning. Here’s a step-by-step guide to ensure you get it right:
1. Leverage PlayPal for Strategy Assistance
Need help validating your business idea? Check out PlayPal, an AI Friend, which acts not only as a conversational bot but as your AI co-founder, guiding you on business decisions and personalizing your entrepreneurial journey.
2. Discover EU Funding Opportunities
The F/MS AI Grant Finder and Application Writer assists startups in locating suitable grants quickly. It also helps write compelling application drafts, ensuring you don’t miss out on essential funding rounds. This feature is particularly useful for those entering the AI space for the first time.
3. Understand Legal Frameworks
Don’t risk signing contracts without reviewing the terms thoroughly. Use platforms like AI Startup Lawyer, specifically designed for startups, to analyze tricky clauses, negotiate your agreements, and protect intellectual property rights.
4. Connect with Thought Leaders
Network with innovators like Violetta Bonenkamp through initiatives such as Fe/male Switch, where her expertise in gamepreneurship can uniquely benefit startups looking to scale efficiently and sustainably.
5. Test Your Ideas in The Sandbox
Use Fe/male Switch’s Sandbox feature for structured validation of startup ideas. This learning-by-doing space lets you experiment and refine strategies effectively under expert guidance and AI-driven feedback.
What NOT to Do: Top Mistakes
While the AI landscape offers immense potential, it’s easy to overlook crucial aspects that could hinder your success. Here are three common mistakes to avoid:
- Ignoring Compliance: Whether it’s GDPR regulations or European AI ethics policies, non-compliance can lead to hefty fines or project shutdowns.
- Skipping Feedback: Don’t overlook platforms offering feedback, such as SANDBOX within Fe/male Switch, which analyzes startup progress step-by-step.
- Over-Relying on Funding: Focus not only on grants and investment rounds but also on creating scalable, self-sustaining business models that attract long-term customers.
Make the Most of Digital Sovereignty Initiatives
As France and Germany spearhead the adoption of cloud-native AI tools at a governmental scale, entrepreneurs have the unique chance to contribute to Europe’s digital transformation. Tools like PlayPal and grant finders simplify the journey, ensuring startups maximize access to resources, mentorship, and success. By blending innovative tools with a deep understanding of European goals, startups can not only thrive but also play a pivotal role in defining the future of digital sovereignty.
For more on PlayPal or to explore emerging startup ecosystems across Europe, start here.
FAQ
1. What is the purpose of the partnership between Mistral AI and SAP?
The partnership between Mistral AI and SAP aims to enhance public services in France and Germany through AI-driven solutions, emphasizing efficiency, transparency, and European digital sovereignty. Read the full announcement
2. How does this initiative reduce dependency on U.S. tech?
By creating AI solutions tailored to European standards and hosted on sovereign platforms, the collaboration aims to reduce reliance on technologies from companies like Microsoft and OpenAI. Learn about Europe’s AI strategy
3. What sectors will be affected by this collaboration?
The focus areas include financial management, workforce training, healthcare, education systems, and more, with deployment expected from 2026 to 2030. Explore affected sectors
4. What opportunities exist for startups?
Startups can benefit from government contracts, partnerships with Mistral AI and SAP, and scalable product development using SAP’s Business Technology Platform (BTP). Access government contract opportunities
5. How has Mistral AI grown since its launch?
Mistral AI has raised over €2.8 billion since its inception in 2023 and achieved an impressive valuation of €11.7 billion, affirming its position as a key player in European AI. Learn more about Mistral’s growth
6. What tools can help startups navigate funding opportunities?
The F/MS AI Grant Finder is specially designed to assist startups in locating relevant EU grants and includes an application writing feature for streamlined funding access. Discover F/MS AI Grant Finder
7. How does this partnership strengthen cybersecurity?
By focusing on local data hosting and compliance with stringent European regulations, the initiative ensures secure AI deployments across public sectors. Learn about cybersecurity in AI
8. What role does SAP’s Business Technology Platform play?
SAP’s platform integrates scalable AI services developed by Mistral AI, fostering innovation in public service applications and enabling compliant and efficient product development. Explore SAP’s platform features
9. Are there events where entrepreneurs can showcase AI innovations?
The Berlin Summit on Digital Sovereignty is an example of a key event that enables startups to pitch ideas, network with policy leaders, and gain recognition for cutting-edge solutions. Join the Berlin Summit
10. What common mistakes should startups avoid in the AI space?
Startups should prioritize legal compliance, seek dynamic feedback, and focus on building scalable self-sustaining models rather than relying solely on funding rounds. Learn about startup strategies
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.