Bonn, April 16, 2025 – Amid growing discussions about digital sovereignty and data privacy, BusinessCode is making a strong statement: The company plans to increasingly focus on adopting European technology alternatives, both internally and in public debates. “In customer discussions, we have already been pointing out European alternatives when they are available,” says Bernd Daamen, Legal Counsel and Authorized Officer at BusinessCode.
An internal survey at BusinessCode reveals a clear opinion: 90% of employees wish for more European technology in the company, and 55% are even considering switching to European alternatives in their private lives. The main reasons are independence, data privacy, and security. “In times of geopolitical uncertainties and growing dependency on non-European tech giants, digital sovereignty is becoming a strategic necessity,” emphasizes Daamen. “As a European company, we not only have the opportunity but also the responsibility to promote and lead by example in using alternatives.”
Focus on European Tools
Switching to European alternatives is an ambitious task – many of the currently used tools like Google Workspace and Microsoft 365 are deeply integrated into daily work. However, BusinessCode sees this as an opportunity for innovation: “Standardization doesn’t happen by itself – it requires users who are ready to explore new paths,” says Daamen. “If we don’t actively use European technologies, they won’t establish themselves.”
In a recent blog post, BusinessCode presents a selection of promising European solutions, including the open-source platform Nextcloud for collaboration and data management, OnlyOffice as an office and project solution, and tools like awork and MeisterTask for agile project management. A particular focus in the post is the French AI startup Mistral AI with its chatbot Le Chat, which offers an exciting alternative to established systems like ChatGPT, with a focus on data privacy and European values.
A Call for Change
“Europe has excellent developers, smart ideas, and strong companies,” Daamen emphasizes. “What’s often lacking is visibility – and the courage to choose against seemingly unbeatable standards.” BusinessCode invites not only other companies but also private users to actively engage with European alternatives. The experts at BusinessCode see the platform european-alternatives.eu as a great starting point, providing a comprehensive overview of European technologies.
“We must not leave Europe’s digital future to others. We must shape it ourselves,” adds CEO Martin Schulze, who primarily aims to raise awareness. For this reason, the company is also planning a survey for customers and non-customers, which will be launched on LinkedIn. The company is aware of the irony in this approach.
Caption: Bernd Daamen, Legal Counsel and authorized signatory of BusinessCode