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February 2026 was defined by strategic consolidation and forward momentum across Sploro’s Horizon Europe portfolio. From a key consortium and review milestone in Germany to digital health coordination in Greece and high-level startup dialogue online, our team continued reinforcing Europe’s innovation ecosystem through structured execution and ecosystem building.
Here is what shaped our February.
3-4 February | Stuttgart, Germany
February began in Stuttgart, where the PhotonQBoost consortium gathered for a pivotal moment in the project’s lifecycle: the second in-person Consortium Meeting combined with the first formal Review Meeting with the European Commission.
Sploro was represented by Mikel Apesteguia, EU Projects Team Leader, and Caique de Carvalho, Project Manager.
Over two intensive days, partners reviewed the achievements of the first implementation year, presented integrated Work Package results and aligned strategically on priorities for the second reporting period. The sessions provided a comprehensive overview of progress across technical, operational and Open Call activities, while also creating space to address challenges, consolidate shared learning and refine execution strategies.
The Review Meeting offered a structured validation of the work carried out to date. Feedback from the European Commission was highly positive, confirming that PhotonQBoost is delivering strong results and progressing according to plan.
“This milestone confirmed that our Open Call framework and SME support mechanisms are delivering real value to the photonics and quantum ecosystem. It also sharpened our focus for the next implementation phase,”
Beyond the consortium milestone, February also marked important operational progress. The evaluation phase of the OC2-2025 Open Call was successfully completed, ensuring a rigorous and high-quality selection process. The project now advances to the legal validation of pre-selected applications, preparing the next wave of tailored support for innovative SMEs.
In parallel, advisory services activities progressed significantly. The consortium strengthened impact measurement through clearer KPIs, structured customised support pathways for SMEs entering the service pipeline and prepared upcoming matchmaking opportunities. With two Open Calls launched and a motivated consortium fully aligned, PhotonQBoost enters its second period from a position of strength.
17-18 February | Athens, Greece
Mid-February, Sploro travelled to Athens for the EVOLVE2CARE 4th Plenary Meeting, held as part of Athens Digital Health Week.
Ecem Özdemir represented Sploro during two days of coordination sessions and strategic discussions. Partners reviewed technical progress, aligned work packages and reinforced collaboration mechanisms across the consortium.
Being embedded within Athens Digital Health Week positioned EVOLVE2CARE within a broader European innovation dialogue, enabling exchange with key stakeholders from the health and digital sectors. The meeting reinforced the project’s shared ambition to deliver scalable, patient-centred digital health solutions with measurable systemic impact.
24 February | Online
The month concluded with a forward-looking discussion on strengthening Europe’s startup ecosystem. On 24 February, Open Horizons co-organised the webinar:
“Start-up support in the EU: How to shape it, how to get it.”
The session brought together three EU-supported initiatives — INNOVATE-EU, WE-RISE and Open Horizons — to explore how startups can better access funding, partnerships and public support frameworks.
Sploro was represented by:
Sploro hosted and moderated the breakout session focused on corporate–startup cooperation, addressing how to move beyond short-term pilot projects and “innovation theatre” towards structurally embedded, scalable partnerships.
The discussion highlighted the importance of internal corporate champions, dedicated innovation teams and funding mechanisms that facilitate validation and scale-up processes.
“Europe’s innovation strength lies in its startups. Our role is to create structured bridges with corporations so collaboration moves from experimentation to long-term impact,”
The webinar reinforced Open Horizons’ commitment to building practical collaboration models that translate public funding into sustainable ecosystem growth.
February demonstrated Sploro’s ability to combine rigorous Open Call management, strategic consortium coordination and ecosystem facilitation across diverse sectors — from quantum technologies to digital health and startup innovation.
Each milestone strengthened our positioning as a reliable and impact-driven Horizon Europe partner, ensuring that European funding continues to generate tangible results for SMEs, innovators and ecosystems across the continent.
