Etsy Forges ahead with European Expansion

Etsy updated users on its European expansion efforts in a blog post this week and said it would hold a Handmade Summit in Berlin next April. Matthew Stinchcomb helped open the company's office in Berlin, Germany earlier this year, and said Etsy has assigned its European-based team to various parts of Europe to act as advocates for and work directly with Street Teams and sellers in those areas; to understand the market challenges and data; and to increase Etsy's overall exposure there.

Etsy is focused on two major educational initiatives: making Etsy easy and making business easy. "We aim to do this through the content we create in German, French, and English, at the events we hold at the Etsy Labs Berlin (and broadcast in the Virtual Labs), and at the Handmade Summit we will be hosting in Berlin next April. We are also working hard to create a website and guidebook for micro-entrepreneurs and independent creators in Europe, as well as an Etsy users' manual for buyers and sellers."

As with its Brooklyn, New York headquarters, the Berlin office has a community center and event space for the DIY and artist community called Etsy Labs Berlin.

Stinchcomb said the European team is focusing on a press and PR campaign for the holidays.