[Mahn]

I think at its core this is basically it. We can argue all day about the differences in culture and mindset, but the most significant advantage the USA has that the EU cannot effectively replicate (yet) is the access to a large, homogeneous single language single currency market from the get go.

The more interesting question would be why are Google and Facebook American and not Chinese or Indian.

[xnyan]

In addttion to the other reasons mentioned, the US higher education system churns out talent sourced here and abroad.