As a European who moved to California the societal stigma around young ambition in Ireland was brutal. When I started my first company in my 20’s and spoke to friends and family about it a phrase I frequently heard was “ah here, why would you stick your head above the parapet?”[0]

Having seen the kinds of Irish startups that get funding from Irish VCs they both tend to be run by Irish men in their 50’s/60’s who’ve been senior managers at big companies. Having reviewed a couple dozen Irish pitch decks it looks like funding flows based on who you know with little scrutiny given to ideas or even business fundamentals.

[0] https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/put-h...

Having been in both the UK and Bay Area, I agree with your points about VCs.

However, the average age of tech founders in the US is older than you might expect, being well above 40yrs. Experience does count for something.

Reminds me of my homeland Sweden.

It was fun for a while but moving to Ireland was a mistake.

Ambition has it's downsides. Risk does not always return with reward and often the reward has a high cost.

Such attitudes exist for a good reason. But at the same time the alternative attitude also exists for a good reason.

That attitude can work in the post WW II world when Africa/Asian countries were too new to even work out their government structure. When most companies start making things, all the European policies seem like a recipe for accepting a much lower standard of living.

> Pathetic pay too.

If you're after better pay head to London, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Denmark, or Norway. You won't match those San Fran FAANG wages but they're still very good. I live a VERY comfortable life in Denmark and it's such a great place to raise a family.

Pretty much the instant I got the right to do so I started working remote for US companies. I have my own company and am working on moving to the Netherlands and talking to an accountant about how to ensure I can take advantage of the 30% ruling.

Would you mind if I drop you a line? We're pretty in love with NL and have a friend there who describes it as a great place to raise kids (unlike rural Ireland, which is terrible), but DK has come up as an option now and then. Would love to know any thoughts you have to share!

Email is in my bio if so.