Paula Ostiz on 14 March 2025

Open Horizons in Bratislava: Supporting Women-Led Startups and Cross-Border Innovation

Bratislava hosts the first in-person meeting of the Open Horizons consortium to align strategies, define objectives, and set the stage for collaboration.

Innovation and collaboration are at the core of Open Horizons, a project that officially launched with a dynamic kick-off meeting on March 11th in Bratislava, Slovakia. Hosted by the coordinator Pedal and attended by representatives from all partner organisations, InnovX from Romania, Migros from Turkey, and Sploro from Spain, the meeting marked the beginning of an exciting journey towards fostering cross-border cooperation and innovation.

At the heart of Open Horizons lies a shared vision: to enhance cross-sector collaboration, drive innovation in the deep-tech sector, and create impactful solutions across Europe. The meeting provided an essential platform to align strategies, define objectives, and discuss the expected outcomes, while ensuring that the consortium was fully aligned on key responsibilities.

Open Calls: A Key Milestone

A crucial aspect of Open Horizons is the launch of its Open Calls, which aim to engage women-led startups and large corporations in addressing key challenges identified within an open innovation process. The first Open Call is set to launch on June 11th, providing a unique opportunity for emerging ventures and large corporations to contribute cutting-edge solutions. Selected participants will receive funding of up to 55,000€ and benefit from the project’s network and support.

Launching the Open Horizons Project in Bratislava

The kick-off meeting also focused on defining methodologies for effective project execution and knowledge sharing. The consortium engaged in in-depth discussions on each work package (WP) and the responsibilities of every partner, ensuring alignment on key deliverables such as branding, the development of Open Horizons’ logo and Landing Page, and communication strategies. Action points were also set regarding the frequency and format of partner communications, participation in relevant events, funding distribution, and strengthening ties for the Discovery Challenges led by InnovX. Additionally, Sploro will take the lead in Open Calls and Startup Scouting. This structured and collaborative approach sets the foundation for a proactive and dynamic work environment.

Stay Tuned

The kick-off meeting laid a strong foundation for Open Horizons, setting the stage for an impactful and well-coordinated project. As the project moves forward, the consortium remains committed to fostering open communication, driving innovation, and ensuring its success.

Stay tuned for updates on upcoming milestones, events, and opportunities to engage with Open Horizons. Together, we are shaping a future of collaboration and progress across Europe!