What could a Spanish company converting diesel vehicles into hydrogen-powered ones possibly have in common with a Portuguese deep-tech startup specialising in medical imaging? At first glance, very little. Yet the stories of EVARM and PONS show how ambitious ideas can turn into real solutions when entrepreneurs gain access to the right networks, expertise and support.
Behind their progress lies the collaboration between the Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) and the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) – two of Europe’s most important initiatives dedicated to supporting innovation and business growth. Together, they create an ecosystem that connects startups with partners, investors, experts and funding opportunities.
Although they operate in very different sectors – hydrogen mobility and digital health – EVARM and PONS demonstrate how this type of collaboration can accelerate the journey from idea to implementation. EVARM successfully converted a diesel minibus into a hydrogen-powered vehicle, while PONS advanced its AI-based medical imaging platform to the clinical trial stage.
Beyond these achievements, their journeys offer valuable lessons for startups at the beginning of their path.
Building the right networks early can open critical doors
For startups, the right connections can make the difference between a promising idea and a tangible project. Innovation networks offer more than contacts – they provide access to opportunities, partnerships and resources that are difficult to obtain independently.
In EVARM’s case, everything started with a clear need. Barcelona’s public transport operator TMB was looking for solutions to modernise its existing minibuses using hydrogen technology. The EEN partner ACCIÓ identified EVARM as a suitable company for the project and facilitated a collaboration with the German supplier EKPO Fuel Cell Technologies. This international partnership became the foundation of their proposal submitted under the EIT Urban Mobility programme.
EVARM’s CEO, Xavier Ribas, recalls that key moment:
“One of the programme’s requirements was collaboration with an international partner. ACCIÓ introduced us to EKPO Fuel Cell Technologies, and that connection proved to be exactly what we needed.”
The network played a similar role for PONS. Participation in EIT Health programmes gave the company access to industry experts, regulatory specialists and pharmaceutical partners such as Chiesi. For a medical startup, such resources can significantly accelerate both technological development and solution validation.
Funding is more powerful when combined with mentorship
Access to capital is one of the biggest challenges startups face. However, the experience of EVARM and PONS shows that funding has the greatest impact when it is paired with mentorship and strategic guidance.
With EEN’s support, EVARM improved its application for funding under the EIT Urban Mobility programme. The ACCIÓ team helped align the proposal with the call’s objectives, leading to its successful selection and enabling the transformation of the TMB minibus into a hydrogen-powered vehicle.
For PONS, the situation was different. Without clinical results and regulatory approvals, attracting investors was difficult. The company focused on non-dilutive funding, in the form of grants released step by step as development milestones were achieved. At the same time, access to the EIT Health ecosystem helped connect the company with investors interested in deep-tech healthcare solutions.
PONS founder Soner Hacihaliloglu explains:
“The credibility of our advisory board helped bridge trust gaps and present our technology as a future regulatory-ready solution rather than just a research project.”
International collaboration accelerates innovation
In today’s economy, few startups can scale quickly by staying within their local ecosystem. International collaborations provide access to expertise, markets and resources that can accelerate the development of innovative solutions.
The Enterprise Europe Network plays a key role in facilitating these connections. Since 2008, the network has supported more than 260,000 companies each year, and the majority of firms expanding internationally say EEN played an essential role.
For PONS, international partnerships opened the door to critical resources for technology development. The company collaborated with one of Portugal’s largest research hospitals for a pilot study and launched a major data project with the Mayo Clinic in the United States. These collaborations strengthened both their research and their credibility.
EVARM also benefited from international expertise through its partnership with EKPO Fuel Cell Technologies in Germany, which provided the technical capabilities needed to implement the hydrogen conversion project.
Innovation starts with real user needs
Many tech startups are tempted to focus primarily on developing sophisticated technology. In reality, long-term success depends on solving real problems for real users.
A McKinsey study shows that companies leading in customer experience achieved more than double the revenue growth of their competitors.
The team at PONS admits that, in the early stages, they focused more on refining the technology than on engaging with end users. Over time, they realised the importance of a different approach.
“The most important lesson is to talk to users, experts and potential partners as early as possible. Sometimes technology becomes over-engineered and doesn’t solve a problem big enough to matter.”
Through EIT Health programmes, PONS worked directly with hospitals and clinicians, integrating their feedback from the pilot stage. EVARM adopted a similar strategy by focusing first on building a solid customer base and generating early revenue before applying for grants.
Resilience remains the key ingredient
Even with strong support from networks and programmes, the startup journey is rarely smooth. Funding shortages, regulatory barriers and market scepticism can slow progress.
In such moments, resilience becomes essential.
EVARM CEO Xavier Ribas emphasises this point:
“It’s important to stay focused on your goals, even when others don’t believe in them. Determination makes the difference when challenges arise.”
For the PONS team, their motivation is also deeply personal. Experiences related to the late diagnosis of family members inspired them to develop solutions that make medical imaging more accessible and effective.
Lessons that can inspire other startups
Although they operate in different sectors, EVARM and PONS share the same message: collaboration and access to innovation ecosystems can transform ideas into impactful solutions.
Their journeys show that startup success often relies on several key factors: building strong networks early, combining funding with mentorship, developing international partnerships, involving users in the innovation process and maintaining resilience in the face of challenges.
For entrepreneurs at the beginning of their journey, these principles can make the difference between a promising idea and an innovation that truly changes the world.
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Whether you need strategic guidance, connections with international partners and markets, or greater visibility within the European innovation ecosystem, the Enterprise Europe Network can open new opportunities for growth. Through our expertise and connections, we help you develop your business and unlock its global potential.
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Read the original article here: https://een.ec.europa.eu/blog/secret-startup-success-5-lessons-een-and-eits-most-impactful-collaborations
