>Ah yes, governements like to think they can create a startup eco system by throwing money at it.

They have to start somewhere. And if they don't, other governments will, as in the case of Malaysia, which lost a home-grown startup to neighbouring Singapore.

>But in the end many other factors are also (maybe even more) important.

That is also true, and is why many people are skeptical when it comes to Malaysia.

The EU could create the legal framework for an EU-wide company, that can settle anywhere in the EU, but be liable towards an entity of the EU, not its host country.

I feel you are making this up without ever having visited a startup in EU.

All EU startup hubs are local (eg the Paris startup scene). The main difference to SF is scale and crazy money.

I am from the EU and lived in several countries. Had my own company and did a good exit. Now working on another one, operating (tiny scale) in several EU cities.

Edit: never been to SF, so no idea how that is like.

Then you have seen the common market and harmonization of regulations with your own eyes. It's not perfect, but it's getting better by the day.

I have seen many people directly benefiting from EU criticizing it to no end. Very common in East and often due to some other issues (nationalism, immigration etc) and I don't think they will ever be satisfied with anything EU does.