> I can't talk about every European countries, but this comment offers a really shallow analysis of the late stage funding situation regarding France at least.
And your comment shows that you probably missed that the conversation had shifted away from France in particular. GitLab is Dutch for example.
> The differences between France and the US, in terms of Culture, wealth distribution, financial and fiscal environment, country size (& heterogeneity of the European market) are really important factors
Yes they are. For one, French - very capable - possible entrepreneur will be the last to see themselves succeed independently, they will jump t the first opportunity to work for some crap salary for a large company who will then make lots of money over their life's worth in contributions. And if you're lucky you too will get a golden pen on your day of graduation: the day you get to collect your pension.
And as for Americans shooting first: for all the flak that the Samwer brothers get for copying American concepts in Europe, there are plenty of companies in the United States that came late to the table. Facebook isn't the first social network, it just executed better and with much more capital, and there are many other examples besides.
