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President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola in San Francisco

President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola visited San Francisco 26-28 May 2026, engaging with leading technology companies, investors, researchers, and members of the European innovation ecosystem in Silicon Valley. Her programme included meetings with SF Mayor, senior executives from major U.S. technology companies, visits to leading innovation campuses, and an exchange with students at Stanford University focused on the future of EU-U.S. cooperation in technology, trade, security, and innovation.

As part of her visit, the EU Office in San Francisco hosted President Metsola for a high-level private roundtable with senior European business leaders, followed by a Brussels to the Bay town hall event bringing together c.a. 100 European founders, entrepreneurs, investors, and professionals working across the U.S. technology ecosystem.

President Metsola engaged directly with participants, listening to their experiences and perspectives on building companies and advancing innovation across both sides of the Atlantic Many participants highlighted access to finance and market fragmentation as the main challenges to building and scaling companies in Europe. President Metsola was encouraged to see that people in Silicon Valley were not only aware of key European initiatives to streamline rules and strengthen growth opportunities, such as the 28th Regime and EU.Inc, but also remained genuinely interested in the European market. Many founders and investors expressed a desire to scale internationally while maintaining strong ties to Europe, whether by returning in the future or continuing to build and operate businesses across the continent.

Predient Metsola speaking
© European Union, 2026

The Brussels to the Bay Townhall provided an opportunity for an open exchange between President Metsola and members of the European technology community based in Silicon Valley. Opened by Gerard de Graaf, Head of the EU Office in San Francisco and Senior Envoy for Digital to the United States, the discussion explored Europe’s strengths, challenges, and opportunities in an increasingly competitive global innovation landscape.

Participants highlighted Europe’s world-class talent, strong research base, industrial capabilities, democratic stability, and the scale of the Single Market as key assets supporting innovation and long-term competitiveness. At the same time, discussions pointed to persistent challenges related to mobilising capital, supporting scale-ups, strengthening productivity, and enabling innovative companies to grow more rapidly within Europe.

President Metsola outlined ongoing efforts by the European Union to enhance Europe’s competitiveness, reduce unnecessary administrative burdens, and create a more supportive environment for innovation, entrepreneurship, and investment. The exchange also explored the importance of maintaining strong transatlantic ties in a period marked by rapid technological change, geopolitical uncertainty, and increasing global competition.

A recurring theme throughout the discussion was the importance of EU-U.S. cooperation in strategic areas including artificial intelligence, defence, emerging technologies, and the protection of democratic values. Participants emphasised that close collaboration between Europe and the United States remains essential to addressing shared challenges and ensuring continued technological leadership.

The event formed part of the Brussels to the Bay flagship series, which connects European policymakers with founders, investors, researchers, and professionals shaping the future of technology in San Francisco and Silicon Valley.

Team EU in SF

European Union, 2026

KEY INFO

Date: 27 May 2026
Venue: EU Office in San Francisco - 1 Post Street, Suite 2300

Gerard de Graaf, Head of the EU Office in San Francisco and Senior EU Envoy for Digital
Gerard de Graaf opened the discussion by highlighting the importance of maintaining strong connections between European policymakers and the European innovation community in Silicon Valley. He emphasized Europe's significant strengths in research, talent, industrial know-how, and market scale, while noting the need to further support innovation, investment, and company growth. He also underscored the value of the Brussels to the Bay platform as a forum for dialogue between European institutions and Europeans building at the forefront of technology in the United States.

Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament
President Metsola highlighted Europe's strengths in talent, research excellence, industrial capacity, democratic stability, and innovation. She emphasized ongoing efforts to strengthen European competitiveness, reduce barriers for innovators and entrepreneurs, and create better conditions for companies to scale within the EU. She also underlined the importance of continued transatlantic cooperation in areas such as artificial intelligence, defence, economic resilience, and emerging technologies, stressing that Europe and the United States remain key partners in addressing shared global challenges.

If you have any questions, please email us at invitation@euinsanfrancisco.eu.

Video is available here!