A summer of progress across our EU projects
July may be the heart of the summer, but innovation does not take a holiday. While many people were taking a well deserved break, our projects kept moving forward with workshops, interviews, new learning resources and the chance to shine a spotlight on some of the people behind the work.
This month, we’re taking a look at the latest updates from EVOLVE2CARE, Open Horizons, PQ-REACT and PQ-NEXT.
EVOLVE2CARE: Conversations that move innovation forward
2 July | Online
EVOLVE2CARE had a productive July, with two activities that brought together different voices from across the healthcare innovation ecosystem.
On 2 July, the project joined its sister projects FINEX and APROVALS for a joint webinar exploring how Test Beds, Living Labs and Regulatory Sandboxes support healthcare innovation at different stages. If you work in HealthTech and are curious about which environment best fits your solution, the recording is well worth adding to your summer watch list.
A few days later, on 14 July, the project held the third and final session of its policy recommendations series. Living Labs, researchers and policy makers came together to shape recommendations for transitional care, which will now feed into a report designed to support future decision making.
Evolve2Care is a Horizon Europe project accelerating the adoption of digital innovations in transitional care. Learn more at evolve2care.eu.
Open Horizons: Building the next collaborations
Now that Open Horizons is entering its final phase, July was an important month for both new applicants and the startups already part of the programme.
Open Call 3 interviews
Throughout July, 27 startups met with 12 corporate partners to present their solutions and explore opportunities for collaboration. The evaluation process is now entering its final stage, with the remaining assessments taking place over the coming weeks. Results are expected to be announced in mid August, when all applicants will be informed of the outcome.
The interviews marked an important milestone in the programme, bringing together startups and corporate partners to explore how their ideas, expertise and ambitions could align.
“Every interview represents more than a selection process. It is the beginning of potential collaborations capable of turning ambitious technologies into real world impact.”
Virginia Vasilakou, Project Manager at Sploro
Supporting founders beyond the pilot
Support does not end when a pilot finishes. Between the end of June and mid July, Cohort 1 founders joined four Follow-on Programme sessions covering investment readiness, fundraising, valuation, scaling strategies and a matchmaking session with the Migros Here2Next ecosystem.
We are particularly proud that Sploro was responsible for the opening session of the Follow-on Programme, “The Funding Landscape Demystified: A Founder’s Guide to Private Funding“. A special thanks to our very own Team Leader Mikel Apesteguia, and to David Franzen, who led the sessions and shared practical insights into the private funding landscape and investment readiness.
We would also like to thank Inspiring Female Founders for enriching the programme, and our Advisory Board member Maria Zubeldia for making this valuable collaboration possible.
“The end of a pilot is not the end of the journey. It is the beginning of new partnerships, new investments and the next stage of growth.”
Virginia Vasilakou, Project Manager at Sploro
While the next cohort takes shape, the programme continues to demonstrate that lasting impact comes not only from selecting promising startups, but also from giving them the support and connections they need to keep growing.
Open Horizons is a Horizon Europe project supporting deep tech and digital startups through cascade funding and structured corporate collaboration. Learn more at openhorizonsproject.eu.
PQ-React: : Finishing strong
22 July | Online
With the project officially ending in August, this month focused on making sure its results remain useful well beyond its lifetime.
On 7 July, the joint SPQR Cluster and PQ REACT press release from the final event in Bucharest was published on Zenodo under open access, ensuring the project’s outcomes remain accessible and citable.
Later in the month, the spotlight turned to our wonderful Project Manager, Marina Ortega, who shared her expertise in the fifth and final Training Pill on navigating the European public funding landscape. Created specifically for Open Call winners, the resource helps participants understand the opportunities available beyond the project and prepare for their next funding journey.
“Beyond the Algorithm was more than a closing event. It was a launchpad. The tools, frameworks and partnerships built through PQ REACT will continue to shape Europe’s quantum safe future well beyond the project’s end.”
Marina Ortega, Project Manager at Sploro
PQ-REACT is a Horizon Europe project developing a post-quantum cryptography framework for energy-aware contexts. Learn more at pqreact.eu.
PQ NEXT: Meet the people behind the project
22 July | Online
This month’s PQ-NEXT update is a special one for us. The project’s interview series featured our talented colleague, Marta Fernández, who shared her perspective on Sploro’s role in leading the project’s exploitation activities. In the interview, she also explained why making post quantum cryptography accessible is essential for organisations of every size, not only those with highly specialised technical teams.
“The most important thing we can deliver is something that everyone can use. A clear and accessible pathway for organisations of all sizes to move from traditional security methods to post quantum cryptography.”
Marta Fernández, Project Manager at Sploro
If you would like to learn more about the work happening behind the scenes, her interview is well worth a read.
PQ-NEXT is a Horizon Europe project advancing post-quantum cryptography to ensure secure and trustworthy digital communications in the quantum era. Learn more at pqnext.eu.
What’s next
August is traditionally a quieter month, but there is still plenty ahead. PQ-REACT will officially come to a close, Open Horizons will announce its final cohort and, like many of you, our team will take some time to recharge before the months ahead.
Thank you for following along, we will be back next month with more updates from across our projects. Until then, enjoy the rest of the summer!
