EU Tech Rules Aren’t Built for Startups – But for Oldschool, Big Corporates — Elena Churilova (Cino)

In this interview Elena Churilova, CEO of Cino, shares what it really takes to build a fintech startup in Europe today.

From navigating ambiguity surrounding the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) to scaling a pan-European product without the legal resources of a large company, Elena explains why current EU tech rules feel designed for “old-school corporates” rather than digital-first startups.

Cino sets out to solve a simple, universal problem: splitting bills – digitally, across borders, banks, and currencies. Yet bringing that innovation to life in the European Union came with regulatory complexity that slows growth, drains time, and often forces founders into an impossible choice: stay in Europe and risk stagnation, or leave in order to scale.

This conversation is part of CCIA Europe’s #UnlockEUInnovation campaign, featuring European startup leaders explaining why regulatory simplification cannot wait – and what’s at stake if it doesn’t happen.