“We’re so glad you exist.” is a phrase I hear often.
Say what you will about Silicon Valley and venture capitalists but when they say “we’re so glad you exist” to the latest people-farming startup, they back it up with, on average, $5M in cash.
When MEPS, etc., tell me they’re so glad we exist, they back it up with perhaps an invitation to talk for free at their next event.
(We’ve had exactly €0 in EU funding but I’ve spoken twice at the parliament so yay, I guess.)