A recent 2025 survey of over 250 startup founders highlights the differences between the US and European tech ecosystems. For MedTech and Biotech companies, especially those backed by institutional capital, these insights go beyond headlines. They reveal how geography shapes access to funding, talent, and growth strategies.
At Invenia Executive, we work with VC and PE-backed life sciences companies across both regions. Here are the key points from the data that matter most when building leadership teams in today’s global HealthTech market.
Over half of European founders say raising capital is their biggest challenge. In contrast, just 30% of US founders feel the same. That gap reflects more than opinion…
In 2024, US startups raised over €190 billion across 9,400 rounds, while EU startups brought in just €75.6 billion from half as many deals. The US has a deeper pool of venture capital, a larger investor base, and a culture that embraces financial risk. Structural differences play a role – with far more household wealth in Europe remaining in cash or savings rather than investments. For MedTech founders in Europe, this creates a real pressure to build credibility quickly, and that often starts with who’s in the C-suite.
When it comes to hiring, US founders rated their access to talent at 8/10. EU founders gave it a 6/10 – with good reason – high salaries, visa complexities, and competition from major tech firms affect both markets. In Europe, additional friction comes from language, regulation, and fragmented markets. For investors and boards backing European MedTech startups, securing experienced, globally minded leadership is critical to competing for talent and building strong teams at speed.
Only 2% of EU founders cited supply chain as a major concern, compared to 21% in the US. This reflects the higher exposure US HealthTech companies have to hardware, manufacturing, and global logistics, all of which can slow product launches or increase operational risk. This has direct implications for executive hiring. US-based companies often need senior leaders with experience in:
- Global supply chain strategy
- Vendor risk management
- Operational continuity under pressure
The survey shows a wider ambition gap: 59% of US founders are actively pursuing M&A deals, versus 43% in Europe. 21% of US founders are targeting IPO, nearly double the EU average. This mindset affects how companies structure leadership teams, and what investors expect. In high-growth US MedTech startups, there’s greater appetite for executives with deal-making experience, public company readiness, and an ability to scale aggressively.
US founders rated their optimism at 9/10, often giving “perfect scores” on access to capital, talent, and growth prospects. While European founders were slightly more cautious, the most successful are those who can adopt elements from both ecosystems. This is where leadership matters. Hiring executives who understand both markets — and how to balance short-term delivery with long-term value — is increasingly important, especially for companies with cross-border investors or global ambitions.
For founders and investors, the difference in outcomes between the US and EU often comes down to leadership. At Invenia Executive, we help companies:
- Hire executives with experience in scaling across both ecosystems
- Build leadership teams that meet investor expectations
- Attract candidates who can operate in global, complex environments
We understand the market pressures and cultural dynamics that shape growth in healthtech, and we bring that insight to every search. The most competitive companies will be those that combine US-style ambition and speed with European resilience and adaptability. We help you find the leadership to do both. Contact Invenia Executive to discuss how we support VC and PE-backed MedTech companies with tailored executive search solutions.
Need to strengthen your leadership team? Book a consultation with Invenia Executive to discover how our Executive Search expertise can support your next stage of growth.
