Matthias Schmidt 🇪🇺
@eurofounder.bsky.social
Founder based in the EU 🇩🇪🇪🇺 • Building GDPR-compliant startups • 7 years in, €7k MRR
Only works in Belgium but fully compliant with every single #AI governance framework.
'How many users do they have?' Sam asked.
'Nearly 60' I told him.
He hung up!
Silicon Valley #founders always get defensive when they realize how far behind they are on responsible innovation. 🏆
'How many users do they have?' Sam asked.
'Nearly 60' I told him.
He hung up!
Silicon Valley #founders always get defensive when they realize how far behind they are on responsible innovation. 🏆
February 10, 2026 at 2:58 PM
February 10, 2026 at 9:31 AM
Explained that in Copenhagen, my team spent three months conducting focus groups with 8 users before implementing dark mode.
He seemed confused about why we only have 8 users after 3 years.
"But did any of them feel surprised or uncomfortable with the dark mode change?" I asked. 🔽
He seemed confused about why we only have 8 users after 3 years.
"But did any of them feel surprised or uncomfortable with the dark mode change?" I asked. 🔽
February 10, 2026 at 9:31 AM
Explained that in Copenhagen, my team spent three months conducting focus groups with 8 users before implementing dark mode.
He seemed confused about why we only have 8 users after 3 years.
"But did any of them feel surprised or uncomfortable with the dark mode change?" I asked. 🔽
He seemed confused about why we only have 8 users after 3 years.
"But did any of them feel surprised or uncomfortable with the dark mode change?" I asked. 🔽
Meanwhile we're #cashflow neutral if you exclude salaries and the €10k sustainability audit we're required to complete quarterly.
Pierre says at this #growth rate we'll be profitable by 2034. I trust his guidance - my wife says Pierre always finishes exactly when he says he will. 🏆
Pierre says at this #growth rate we'll be profitable by 2034. I trust his guidance - my wife says Pierre always finishes exactly when he says he will. 🏆
February 9, 2026 at 9:32 PM
Our American competitor just launched in France yesterday. They used Google Translate. They're in for a rough ride. 🏆
February 9, 2026 at 9:44 AM
Our American competitor just launched in France yesterday. They used Google Translate. They're in for a rough ride. 🏆
The investigation took 4 months across our legal team, external GDPR consultant, and #employee representative board.
Already found a replacement - my wife's boyfriend just completed his master's #degree in Digital Ethics. Perfect fit! He starts in March after his mandatory 6-week winter holiday. 🏆
Already found a replacement - my wife's boyfriend just completed his master's #degree in Digital Ethics. Perfect fit! He starts in March after his mandatory 6-week winter holiday. 🏆
February 8, 2026 at 8:41 PM
I simply couldn’t believe my ears and nearly choked on a paper straw that started to dissolve in my drink.
This is why American #startups fail in #Europe. They don’t understand that “figuring it out later” means retroactive fines dating back to your first day of operations. 🔽
This is why American #startups fail in #Europe. They don’t understand that “figuring it out later” means retroactive fines dating back to your first day of operations. 🔽
February 8, 2026 at 9:04 AM
He asked why I don’t “just expand” to France. I explained it would require a new #VAT registration, French employment contracts, and finding a French data protection representative.
He said “just launch and figure it out later.” 🔽
He said “just launch and figure it out later.” 🔽
February 8, 2026 at 9:04 AM
He asked why I don’t “just expand” to France. I explained it would require a new #VAT registration, French employment contracts, and finding a French data protection representative.
He said “just launch and figure it out later.” 🔽
He said “just launch and figure it out later.” 🔽
Meanwhile, US startups are out there just recklessly growing and acquiring users without proper rules in place.
Building in San Francisco makes no sense. 🏆
Building in San Francisco makes no sense. 🏆
February 7, 2026 at 6:28 PM
Meanwhile, US startups are out there just recklessly growing and acquiring users without proper rules in place.
Building in San Francisco makes no sense. 🏆
Building in San Francisco makes no sense. 🏆
This is real sustainable #entrepreneurship. Not the reckless growth you see in America. 🏆
February 7, 2026 at 9:22 AM
This is real sustainable #entrepreneurship. Not the reckless growth you see in America. 🏆
Year 5: €3,600 revenue (scaled to 3 customers)
Year 6: €7,200 #revenue (6 customers, hired Data Protection Officer)
The key to our success? We've never moved fast or broken anything. Every feature is approved by our data protection officer before we even write code. 🔽
Year 6: €7,200 #revenue (6 customers, hired Data Protection Officer)
The key to our success? We've never moved fast or broken anything. Every feature is approved by our data protection officer before we even write code. 🔽
February 7, 2026 at 9:22 AM
Year 5: €3,600 revenue (scaled to 3 customers)
Year 6: €7,200 #revenue (6 customers, hired Data Protection Officer)
The key to our success? We've never moved fast or broken anything. Every feature is approved by our data protection officer before we even write code. 🔽
Year 6: €7,200 #revenue (6 customers, hired Data Protection Officer)
The key to our success? We've never moved fast or broken anything. Every feature is approved by our data protection officer before we even write code. 🔽
We're using the funds to hire a Chief Compliance Officer and complete our #ISO 27001 certification.
Next milestone: reaching €10k MRR so we can qualify for the #EU Innovation Grant (additional €100k).
Building in #Europe isn't easy, but doing things the right way never is. 🏆
Next milestone: reaching €10k MRR so we can qualify for the #EU Innovation Grant (additional €100k).
Building in #Europe isn't easy, but doing things the right way never is. 🏆
February 6, 2026 at 10:31 PM
Due diligence required getting our Handelsregister documentation notarized three separate times (€60k in notary fees, but that's a small price to pay for proper documentation).
#Valuation came in at €2.1M (up from €1.8M pre-seed in 2019). 🔽
#Valuation came in at €2.1M (up from €1.8M pre-seed in 2019). 🔽
February 6, 2026 at 10:31 PM
Due diligence required getting our Handelsregister documentation notarized three separate times (€60k in notary fees, but that's a small price to pay for proper documentation).
#Valuation came in at €2.1M (up from €1.8M pre-seed in 2019). 🔽
#Valuation came in at €2.1M (up from €1.8M pre-seed in 2019). 🔽
Our lawyer says we could be reaching out to customers already by mid-2026.
This is what real GDPR-compliant entrepreneurship looks like. Not the reckless approach you see in the US where founders just build things without proper authorization. 🏆
This is what real GDPR-compliant entrepreneurship looks like. Not the reckless approach you see in the US where founders just build things without proper authorization. 🏆
February 6, 2026 at 7:45 PM
Our lawyer says we could be reaching out to customers already by mid-2026.
This is what real GDPR-compliant entrepreneurship looks like. Not the reckless approach you see in the US where founders just build things without proper authorization. 🏆
This is what real GDPR-compliant entrepreneurship looks like. Not the reckless approach you see in the US where founders just build things without proper authorization. 🏆