Over the past decade, Europe’s business landscape has produced a new generation of success stories that challenge the long-held notion of “pessimist Europeans.” Despite facing a pandemic, Brexit, rising energy costs, and war on the continent, several European companies have emerged as long-term growth leaders, proving resilience and innovation can flourish even amid adversity.
A Decade of Unlikely Growth
The Financial Times’ list of Europe’s 300 Long-Term Growth Champions highlights companies that have thrived despite formidable challenges — from Covid-19 and trade tensions with the U.S. to the aftershocks of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Notably, Italy and the UK stand out for outperforming expectations, while a fifth of the ranked companies hail from the technology sector.
These companies’ growth stories contrast with the pessimism often surrounding Europe’s sluggish economy, high debt levels, and political tensions. Economists have warned that the EU risks falling behind the U.S. and China, yet the private sector has demonstrated remarkable adaptability — finding opportunity in crisis.
Innovation Meets Regulation
While bureaucracy and regulation are often criticized as Europe’s biggest business obstacles, some companies have turned them into advantages.
For example, Cyclamen, a waste reclamation firm, used the EU’s environmental controls to its benefit. The company developed technology to extract aluminium from waste previously bound for incineration, reducing carbon emissions by 94%. Co-founder Adrien Antenen says this aligns perfectly with the EU’s push for sustainability and strategic independence in raw materials:
“It’s going to be a €10bn market. It’s cheaper to make aluminium from post-consumer waste, and you reduce CO₂ emissions dramatically.”
Tech Titans and European Optimism
Lithuania’s Hostinger, ranked second on the FT list, embodies the spirit of European tech resilience. The company, which provides website hosting services, grew rapidly by relying on a strong pipeline of local tech graduates and self-funding its expansion.
Chief executive Daugirdas Jankus recalls early skepticism from industry peers who doubted their ambitions to compete with Silicon Valley:
“We wanted to prove we could compete with the big players. People told us it was impossible — but failure never came.”
Jankus believes that while “the U.S. innovates and Europe regulates,” European companies have learned to turn structure and discipline into long-term advantages.
Turning Barriers into Bridges
Meanwhile, Finnish-founded Fruugo, now UK-based, has succeeded by helping others navigate Europe’s fragmented markets. Its multilingual, multi-currency platform connects customers and retailers across 42 countries, offering a practical solution to one of Europe’s most enduring challenges: cross-border trade. Executive chair Dominic Allonby emphasizes that quality and trust are central to its growth strategy.
Reform and the Road Ahead
European policymakers are taking note. Former Italian prime minister Mario Draghi has urged the European Commission to reduce barriers in the single market and improve access to capital. Analysts like Nicolas Véron of the Bruegel think-tank argue for unifying capital market supervision at the EU level to better support growing firms.
Despite ongoing debates about red tape and competitiveness, Europe’s latest generation of entrepreneurs is proving that growth is not limited to Silicon Valley or Shenzhen. Whether in sustainable manufacturing, digital infrastructure, or cross-border commerce, these companies demonstrate that innovation and persistence can redefine what it means to do business “the European way.”
A New Narrative for Europe
The old cliché of European pessimism is giving way to a more confident, forward-looking narrative. These long-term growth champions have shown that with creativity, resilience, and strategic thinking, European businesses can not only survive global shocks — but thrive because of them.
