Google bets on local hubs to source AI startups

Darren Mowry, who oversees the startup and investor ecosystem at Google, describes a European market that he believes is more attractive than ever, with a sourcing strategy based on proximity, data, and partnerships. He adopts a curious stance towards an unprecedented pace of innovation, citing local examples like Mistral.

Europe, a declared priority before expansion to the United States

Darren Mowry asserts that the market opportunity in France and Western Europe has never been broader. He notes that many entrepreneurs want to address the local market first before expanding to the United States, calling this shift refreshing. He observes a strong local appeal in Paris and Madrid, where founders feel they do not need to leave their city to gain international respect. He cites Mistral as an example of a French startup that has made its mark. While praising Y Combinator as a powerful brand partner, he emphasizes the dynamics of European hubs.

Proximity, data, and networks structure the identification of gems

Google Cloud has created a dedicated team for founders, bringing together engineers and former entrepreneurs. To identify serial entrepreneurs in dynamic ecosystems, the company leverages public data to which it applies a layer of artificial intelligence. It collaborates with incubators, accelerators, and venture capital funds, including Station F, and remains connected to major venture capital firms as well as local business angel networks.

In the face of the pace of AI, a declared curiosity

Darren Mowry states that he feels no FOMO regarding advancements in AI. He believes the current pace of innovation is incomparable to his past experiences, with advancements that he says can be measured almost in hours. His team adopts an extreme curiosity, not presuming to know everything, and seeks to be proactive where they have certainties while remaining open to learning with their partners, clients, and competitors.

A background and journey rooted in global tech

At Google since 2021, Darren Mowry holds a position dedicated to startups and investors. He previously worked for nearly a decade at Microsoft, then at Amazon, where he led the EMEA branch of AWS. His remarks were made during the first edition of Google Startup Day France on October 1 at Station F, where he shared his insights on AI and the European ecosystem. Google is also presented as a key player in the race for this technology.