Eurescom Director David Kennedy Highlights Key Strategies for Collaborative Success
In the Horizon Europe panel discussion “Building a Successful Consortium with European Partners,” leading voices from research and industry shared actionable insights on fostering successful collaborations. Moderated by Alexandros Kaloxylos of the 6G Smart Networks and Services Industry Association, the panel included David Kennedy (Eurescom GmbH), Ramon Casellas (Centre Tecnològic de Telecomunicacions de Catalunya), Sergi Figuerola-Fernández (i2CAT), and Dan Kilper (Trinity College Dublin).
Key Ingredients for a Winning Consortium
David Kennedy: Planning for Excellence
David Kennedy emphasized that Horizon Europe projects demand exceptional planning and execution. With proposals often scoring 14.5 or higher out of 15, he stressed the need for:
- Clear technical goals that are innovative and achievable.
- Strong management and organisation to deliver on promises.
- Impactful outcomes that demonstrate value to stakeholders and the EU.
Kennedy also reminded small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to stay focused on their objectives within the consortium to ensure a win-win for all participants.
Sergi Figuerola-Fernández: Building Relationships and Passion
Sergi Figuerola-Fernández highlighted the importance of fostering relationships with complementary partners and promoting your technology effectively in a competitive environment. He emphasized the need for passion and commitment, which are crucial for sustaining successful collaborations.
Dan Kilper: Communicating Impact Clearly
Dan Kilper underscored the need for clear communication. Proposals should articulate the significance and impact of technical ideas without becoming overly dense. He also stressed the importance of building trust among partners to ensure alignment and investment in shared goals.
Ramon Casellas: Holistic Planning
Ramon Casellas advised taking a holistic approach by integrating the value chain into proposals, presenting from the end user’s perspective, and involving diverse stakeholders like universities and SMEs. He also stressed the importance of starting early and carefully selecting partners to avoid rushed or incomplete proposals.
A Collaborative Path to Success
The panellists collectively highlighted that building a successful consortium is about fostering trust, aligning goals, and ensuring all stakeholders benefit from the collaboration. As David Kennedy succinctly put it, successful consortia create value not only for the project but for all involved.
This session served as a roadmap for organizations seeking to navigate the competitive landscape of Horizon Europe while driving impactful, collaborative innovation.
More information: https://uktin.net/whats-happening/events/uktin-international-horizon-engagement-conference