Driven in large part by the rapid growth of the tech sector, the US economy has diverged from other advanced economies. Despite significant strengths in research, much of Europe has been unable to translate this into the type of large digital firms which have become so important to the modern economy.

What are the barriers to developing a thriving tech sector outside of the US? Can European states compete in the tech sector and should they try? What is the future of these advanced economies, if they cannot compete in the industries of the future?  

Meet our speakers and chair

Stan Boland is a British entrepreneur in the information technology sector. 

Robyn Klingler-Vidra is Reader in Political Economy & Entrepreneurship at King’s Business School. She is the author of Startup Capitalism: New Approaches to Innovation Strategies in East Asia (Cornell University Press, 2025, with Ramon Pacheco Pardo) and The Venture Capital State: The Silicon Valley Model in East Asia. Robyn’s research focuses on entrepreneurship, innovation, and venture capital. She has led cross-country studies for Innovate UK, UNDP, and the Asian Productivity Organisation. 

Kanishka Narayan (@KanishkaNarayan) is the Labour MP for the Vale of Glamorgan, after a career bridging public service, technology and finance, working in roles across Silicon Valley, the civil service and the city. In government, Kanishka advised ministers on domestic public policy, as Senior Adviser at the Cabinet Office and as Expert Adviser to Britain’s Environment Secretary. He also advised the Labour Party frontbench as Head of Tech Policy. In business, Kanishka advised and invested in climate and fintech start-ups across Europe and the US, and previously advised FTSE boards, sovereign finance ministries and start-up founders at Lazard. Kanishka grew up and lives in South Wales, studied at Oxford and Stanford universities, and is passionate about social mobility and social justice.  He is determined for the UK to embrace its future as a global leader in technology and innovation, harnessing growth that works for everyone: strengthening communities, restoring dignity, and lifting people up through opportunity.

Neil Lee (@neillee.bsky.social) is Professor of Economic Geography in the Department of Geography and Environment at LSE. His research considers economic development, innovation, and public policy. Recent studies have included work on institutions and economic development in Africa and China, regional inequality and political polarisation in Europe and the United States, and innovation policy in Kuwait. He is working on a major ESRC funded project constructing new measures of regional inequality. His book on innovation and inclusive growth is published by University of California Press.

More about this event

This event is part of the LSE Festival: Visions for the Future running from Monday 16 to Saturday 21 June 2025, with a series of events exploring the threats and opportunities of the near and distant future, and what a better world could look like. Booking for all Festival events will open on Monday 19 May.  

The Department of Geography and Environment is a centre of international academic excellence in economic, urban and development geography, environmental social science and climate change.

At LSE our researchers are using technology’s revolutionary power to understand our world better, looking at AI and technology’s potential to do good, and limiting its potential to do harm. Browse other upcoming events, short films, articles and blogs on AI, technology and society on our dedicated hub.

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