Manna CEO relocates to US, slams Europe’s startup climate

Bobby Healy, founder and CEO of drone delivery startup Manna, has moved to Oklahoma, telling Sifted that the US is “open for business” while Europe is not. The relocation follows years of frustration with what he describes as Europe’s regulatory and funding environment, marking another defection in a growing exodus of founders and capital from the continent.

Healy’s criticism centers on Europe’s approach, which he calls overly cautious and slow-moving. While Manna has operated in its home market, scaling elsewhere in Europe has proven difficult, with regulatory processes often cited as a key obstacle. In the US, the company has reportedly found a more receptive environment, allowing it to advance its commercial plans more quickly. The US market, Healy argued, rewards speed and execution, while Europe’s approach risks stifling innovation.

This trend is not new. Europe’s tech ecosystem has long struggled to retain talent and capital, a pattern StartupReader has tracked in recent coverage. Mistral’s models, like many European tech initiatives, face a more complex approval landscape compared to their US counterparts, where companies can often move faster.

Healy’s move reflects broader tensions in Europe’s startup scene. Other companies have also signaled frustration with the continent’s pace. HighLife, for example, raised $90 million to expand in Europe but has focused on its US trial, suggesting that regulatory timelines may play a role in such decisions. Meanwhile, Meta’s acquisition of Stilla.ai highlighted how even Europe’s most promising startups often end up in American hands.

The question now is whether Healy’s departure will prompt change or become another example of Europe’s struggle to retain its startups. His comments echo a frustration shared by many founders: Europe’s regulatory frameworks, while designed to protect consumers, can create barriers that push companies to seek opportunities elsewhere. For Manna, the decision appears to have been driven by these challenges, with the US now serving as its primary market.

Europe’s response to these departures has been mixed. Policymakers argue that stricter regulations ensure safety and fairness, while founders and investors warn that the continent risks falling further behind. The tension isn’t new, but Healy’s blunt assessment—“Europe is not open for business”—resonates more sharply than most. It’s one thing to lose startups to acquisitions; it’s another to lose them to relocation, taking jobs, capital, and ambition with them.

What happens next will depend on whether Europe can balance its regulatory goals with the need to retain its most ambitious startups. For now, Healy’s move serves as a reminder of the stakes. The US isn’t just attracting more funding—it’s becoming the preferred destination for talent and growth.

Sources: sifted.eu