In a time where innovation should be Europe’s winning card, it appears the continent’s fintech sector may be falling behind. According to Started PR’s inaugural ‘Check Up’ report, 70% of industry leaders believe Europe has lost its competitive edge to the U.S., with over 60% feeling similarly about Asia-Pacific.
The ‘Check Up’ report, a new research initiative launched by Started PR, gathers fresh insights from founders and senior tech leaders across Europe to assess the health of the sector heading into 2025. It blends quantitative survey results with qualitative commentary from some of fintech’s most influential voices.
A Sector Under Strain—But Not Without Hope
One of the report’s standout insights is that half of all respondents view current market conditions in Europe as “challenging” or “very challenging.” Chief among the concerns: a cumbersome regulatory landscape and dwindling access to funding. In fact, 51% of fintech leaders say Europe’s current regulatory setup is actively hindering the sector’s global competitiveness.
Investment outlooks remain cautious, too. Just 2% of respondents foresee European fintech regaining its 2021 investment highs by the end of 2025. Over a third (35%) don’t expect this resurgence until after 2028, and 17% believe those highs may never return.
Yet, amid this realism, optimism remains. Two-thirds of respondents (67%) say they’re still confident about growth in the European fintech sector over the next year. The resilience of founders and the continued push for innovation appear to be fuelling hope despite the headwinds.
Expert Perspectives: From Crypto to Compliance
The report’s qualitative section deepens the narrative, featuring exclusive interviews with six European fintech experts who weigh in on issues ranging from crypto innovation to regulatory reform and cross-border payments:
- Alireza Goudarzi – CEO and Founder, CYVI
- Lena Hackelöer – Founder and CEO, Brite Payments
- Alex Mifsud – CEO and Co-Founder, Weavr
- Anastasija Plotnikova – CEO and Co-Founder, Fideum Group
- Ivan Wong – Investment Associate, Main Set
- Wayne Scott – Regulatory Compliance Solutions Lead, Escode
These contributors offer grounded and strategic insights, reinforcing the need for regulatory agility, clearer policy pathways, and more tailored support mechanisms for scaling fintechs across Europe.
Why This Check Up Matters
The UK government has taken note. Katie Ramsey, Head of Fintech at the Department for Business & Trade, commented on the report’s importance:
“Amid rapid innovation, evolving regulation, and global economic changes, it’s crucial we don’t forget the impact this has on the fintech founders and leaders driving real-world change. Reports like the ‘Check Up’ help spotlight the issues affecting these important innovators and ensure the ecosystem remains informed and connected.”
Echoing that sentiment, Kimberley Waldron, Founder and Managing Director of Started PR, said:
“Fintech is a sector driven by entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs. In our first Started PR report, we wanted to take time to check-in with the founders and leaders applying innovation to our financial services to make them more accessible, efficient and affordable. While challenges persist, the results featured in the ‘Check Up’ paint a picture of a sector that remains optimistic about future growth.”
The ‘Check Up’ serves as a vital pulse-check for Europe’s fintech scene at a critical moment. It challenges complacency while offering a dose of cautious optimism, encouraging stakeholders to reflect—and act.
Read the full report here: https://qrco.de/bfmjES
