Mike Butcher, a prominent figure in the European technology landscape, continues to make significant contributions through his journalism and advisory roles. In 2015, Wired UK named Butcher one of the 50 most influential people in European technology. In doing so, he’s planted himself as one of the industry’s strongest progressive voices. His coverage crosses platforms from UK national newspapers, magazines, and as the former Editor-at-large of TechCrunch.
Butcher’s influence extends beyond writing. He has presented at the highest levels including the World Economic Forum and Web Summit. At these meetings, he provides critically important guidance on technology and innovation. No wonder UK Prime Ministers and the Mayor of London have been so eager to enlist his expertise. He has been terrific on tech startup policy advice to both leaders. Additionally, he’s been a judge on The Apprentice UK, demonstrating his profound knowledge of the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Over the course of his career, Butcher had a chance to interview some of those power players. Memorable talks include those with former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair and Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev. Along the way he’s interviewed celebrities such as Kevin Spacey and Lily Cole. In addition, he has held discussions with technocrats like Pavel Durov and Jimmy Wales. It’s provided his consciousness with unique perspectives. At the same time they have contributed to his growing reputation in the field as an absolutely essential connector.
Alongside his journalism work, Butcher co-founded multiple efforts, including the Richmond-based StartUp Virginia and StartWheel, that aim to promote startups and entrepreneurship. In his spare time, he co-founded TheEuropas.com where he ranks the top 100 European startups. Further, on the campaign trail, he’s had a major role in organizations including Techfugees.com and TechVets.co. These initiatives are designed to strengthen tech communities throughout Europe and further open doors for those entering the industry.
Ambassador Butcher has been sharing his experiences and advice through regular live broadcasts. You can see him on BBC News, Sky News, CNBC, Channel 4, Al Jazeera and Bloomberg. He expresses difficult concepts in an easy to read, easy to understand manner. That skill has made him one of the most sought-after commentators in the technology space. GQ magazine awarded him for his impact, including naming him one of the 100 Most Connected Men in the United Kingdom.
In 2016 Butcher was appointed an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list. This award was the first to honor his deep contributions to the technology industry and the practice of journalism. This recognition highlights his commitment to the UK technology industry and helping the next generation of entrepreneurs to succeed.
The European technology scene is changing quickly, taking on new forms and directions. Lentz, a notable figure in investment circles, recently emphasized the importance of continued investment in tech despite uncertainties in the U.S. market. He stated, “I think they are not afraid of what’s happening in the U.S. right now. I think they, in fact, believe that it’s important to continue investing in these spaces despite what’s happening in the US.”
Lentz further highlighted the diverse areas within technology that are attracting investment, noting, “Many in climate tech, some in health tech, some in empowerment. And overall, things have gone really well. We’ve had a number of companies that were picked up by tier-one general funds.”
As Europe continues to find its place in the technological paradigm of the future, Lentz feels that knowing who you are is very important. “I think Europe now needs to figure out what it stands for … tech and innovation as part of that, and I think capital will flow to some extent that direction.”
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