Why Europe’s Founders Are Quietly Avoiding Big VA Platforms

Not long ago, the typical advice to overwhelmed founders was simple: hire a virtual assistant. There are plenty of platforms and global VA services promised fast matches, affordable rates, and round-the-clock availability.

But something’s shifted.

Across Europe, a growing number of founders—especially those leading multiple ventures or scaling past 7 figures—are quietly stepping away from those platforms. And they’re not doing it because of cost. They're doing it because the model itself no longer fits the way modern founders work.

So what’s going wrong with the “old VA playbook”? And what’s replacing it?

The Problem With “Platform Assistants”

For many founders, the VA journey starts with good intentions but ends in frustration.

They post a listing, sort through dozens (or hundreds) of proposals, and settle on someone who seems capable. But within weeks, one of two things happens: either the assistant can’t keep up, or the founder stops delegating altogether.

The issue isn’t laziness or poor onboarding—it’s structural. As one founder put it:

“Generic platforms are built for task outsourcing. I needed someone to help me think, prioritize, and move faster. That’s not something you can buy at $6/hour.”

There’s also the problem of signal vs. noise. Platforms cast a wide net—serving solopreneurs, pastors, HR teams, and startup CEOs all in one funnel. That means assistants are trained to be generalists, not strategic partners.

The Rise of Boutique VA Services

In response, a new category has emerged: specialized VA services built for a narrow audience.

Some serve lawyers. Others focus on real estate agents. And in the case of virtual assistant agency DonnaPro, the model is built specifically for growth-stage founders and CEOs.

Unlike platforms, boutique services don’t just match resumes—they handpick, train, and manage assistants around the specific needs of their niche.

“We don’t serve everyone,” says Filip, DonnaPro’s founder. “That allows us to hire differently, train differently, and support our clients with much more precision.”

A Founder-Led Operating System

DonnaPro’s approach, in particular, is attracting attention from time-strapped entrepreneurs who want clarity, not just capacity. The company doesn’t advertise aggressively or scale recklessly. Instead, it focuses on doing one thing well: pairing high-functioning assistants with high-performing founders.

Clients describe the experience not as outsourcing—but as gaining a strategic partner.

“My EA doesn’t wait for me to delegate,” one founder told us. “She anticipates. She filters. She keeps things moving. And because she understands founder reality, I don’t have to overexplain.”

What makes this work is the structure behind the scenes. DonnaPro assistants are supported by account managers and quality leads who monitor performance, gather client feedback, and align with long-term goals. It’s more expensive than a freelance directory—but built to create results, not just activity.

What Founders Actually Want

Ask any experienced founder what they’d pay for more of, and the answer is usually the same: mental space.

Platforms promise hours. Boutique services like DonnaPro promise something different—headspace, clarity, and execution without friction.

That’s a major shift.

“Most of our clients aren’t new to delegation,” Filip explains. “They’ve tried the cheaper options. They’ve wasted time training VAs who disappeared two months later. When they come to us, they’re looking for leverage—not just support.”

Final Thought

For founders who still think of virtual assistants as low-cost admin labor, platforms might work just fine.

But for those building real momentum—juggling growth, teams, and strategic decisions—cheap isn’t the goal anymore. Effective is.

That’s why many are stepping away from the noise and toward quieter, more deliberate services that actually fit the way they work.

And if the early adopters are right, the next generation of founder support won’t come from a platform. It’ll come from partnership.