[chimeracoder]

> They're only able to address the EU market because they have a large, profitable base in the US.

Uber is only able to address any market because they have a ton of outside venture funding.

Don't get me wrong - I agree that the EU is overly protective and that this harms their startup economy, but Uber is not a good example of that point.

[exelius]

That's true of any startup. But I guarantee you in one of those venture funding pitches someone asked them "So most cities have taxi regulations that make what you're trying to do illegal. How are you dealing with that?"

Their answer was basically "Fuck 'em, we'll flood the market with cheap product, make consumers love it and the regulators will cave." That would not have worked in Europe if they hadn't already done it in a bunch of cities across the US.

[001sky]

"That's true of any startup"

no, not really. its only true specific contexts. which was the point of the previous comment. but you're right in the second part, that's sort of a confidence game...success begets success.

[eli_gottlieb]

If Uber is so great, when are they gonna make a profit?

[tim333]

Indeed. There were a load of London based taxi apps eg http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/bills/article-3057608/Six...

The thing Uber has which I think it would only get in Silicon Valley is about $8bn of funding. The biggest UK company I think is Hailo which raised about $100m. It'll be interesting to see how they do in China where the competitors have raised similar vc - Kuaidi raised $950 and I think Uber are spending a billion or so in China.

[ThomPete]

So why aren't there more US investors in Europe if it's purely a matter of funding. The answer IMO is that it's not.