Not all regulations are bad

Before I started building EU Presence, I saw regulations as roadblocks. Bureaucratic hurdles. Innovation killers. Like many founders, my instinct was to move fast, build things, and let the market decide. The idea of slowing down to meet some regulatory checklist felt like the opposite of progress.

But the deeper I dove into the world of compliance, especially within the European Union the more my perspective changed. I realized something I didn’t expect: not all regulations are bad.

Some are, without question. But others are thoughtfully designed, forward-looking, and even founder friendly if you take the time to understand their intent.

GDPR: A regulation worth exporting

Take GDPR as an example.

When it first launched, it was seen as a massive compliance burden. Today, I believe it’s one of the best examples of what a well crafted regulation looks like. GDPR doesn’t just protect users it redefines the relationship between companies and personal data in a fair and transparent way.

It gives people the right to control their own data. It forces companies to explain why they collect something, how they collect it, when they got it, and what they plan to do with it. And most importantly, it gives users the right to ask for that data to be deleted or corrected.

These aren't constraints. They're boundaries that build trust.

In fact, I believe more countries, especially the U.S. should adopt something similar. In a world where data is currency, giving users ownership over their own data should be the default, not the exception.

But then there’s the AI Act…

Not all regulations are as helpful.

The EU AI Act, for instance, feels like it arrived too early. Yes, we all agree that AI needs regulation. But do we even know what AI is yet? What it will become? What the biggest risks are?

Trying to regulate AI today is like trying to write seatbelt laws before cars were invented. It might feel proactive, but it risks stifling innovation before we even know what we're dealing with.

This is where regulation becomes a liability. Premature legislation can lock in assumptions that age poorly, push startups away, and give an advantage to regions that take a wait-and-see approach. Ironically, Europe’s eagerness to lead on AI regulation might end up making it less competitive in the space.

The balance we need

The lesson for me in building EU Presence is this:

Regulations can either slow you down or make you stronger, it depends on the intent behind them, and how you choose to engage with them.

The best regulations are those that:

• Protect people, not power.
• Create clarity, not confusion.
• Level the playing field, not tip it.

As founders, we shouldn’t blindly reject regulation. Nor should we blindly accept it. Our job is to question, understand, and in some cases contribute to shaping it.

Because at the end of the day, innovation and regulation don’t have to be enemies. If done right, they can be allies.

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