Landed, navigated the German tube, almost got a fine because I forgot to validate my ticket, then got to Messe Berlin and walked straight into a busy tech floor for GITEX AI EUROPE.
Over 800 enterprises and startups, 280 speakers, 600 investors, and honestly, the breadth of tech in one building struck me. Europe, you've outdone yourself! I am so proud. AI workforce platforms next to quantum computing next to industrial robotics next to deep tech next to compliance tech next to wine AI (yes, you heard that right) next to social impact tech.
Investors, are you spoilt for choice yet? The quality of the products, and the teams behind them, was top class. The future looks genuinely bright for Europe. These solutions are needed. I just hope investors recognise the right opportunities and back them.
Two things stood out from the keynote stages, beyond the conversations I had on the floor:
Europe has the innovation. It doesn't yet have the infrastructure or capital to scale it. The ICT market is valued at €1.02 trillion, but AI demand could outpace compute capacity within a decade, and Europe still attracts only ~5% of global VC. As KfW's CEO put it, the problem isn't innovation, it's scaling before it moves elsewhere.
Sovereignty has shifted from policy talk to urgent action. The Dutch Minister for Digital Economy and Sovereignty was blunt: "We should have started yesterday, not today." This wasn't about resisting global partnerships, it's about Europe building its own capability while diversifying dependencies.
One of the most memorable conversations I had was with a founder building AI workforce technology that captures and transfers the intelligence and experience of retiring specialists into the next generation of AI models. Aimed at the talent shortage hitting electronics, tech and manufacturing right now - a global challenge that's also critical to Europe's industrial sovereignty. If Europe is serious about self-reliance, this is exactly the kind of direction to pursue. Not replacing expertise. Preserving it before it walks out the door.
Strong UK presence on the ground too - techUK brought a delegation out to coincide with the event, giving UK tech SMEs direct access to the German ecosystem and the conference itself. Good to see UK founders taking market entry into Europe this seriously.
And a genuinely exciting piece of news: Italy is getting its own GITEX! Hello Rome! GITEX AI Mediterranean was just announced, launching in Rome in April 2027, positioning Italy as a gateway connecting Europe, the Mediterranean, the Middle East and Africa. Met some of the team out here promoting it. Mediterranean tech talent is clearly having a moment, and Italy's AI adoption has genuinely doubled in the past year.
That's a wrap. Huge thanks to H-Hotels.com for hosting me and making two full days feel effortless.