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Success story article12 June 2015

A clean-energy connection

Energy efficiency specialists

Energy-efficiency SMEs plug into new business opportunities across Europe.

New business opportunities

Spanish energy efficiency specialists Cognit NRG SL wanted to take their project management and advisory services into new markets. For help they turned to the Enterprise Europe Network office based in Confederación de Empresarios de Aragón (CREA).

Meanwhile in the U.K, ambitious clean-energy SME Solution to Market got in touch with its local Network branch at the Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Chamber of Commerce to find out about new business opportunities in the field of energy efficiency.

Reaching out

The Spanish and British Network members immediately reached out across the Network to seek out potential commercial partners. Using the Network's technology they could see immediately that the profiles of the two companies were clearly compatible.

The Network colleagues then helped to arrange a first meeting of the companies and provided hands on support with the negotiations. Soon after, the companies started working together and are now jointly offering consulting services to UK based SMEs. Among their services are energy management reviews, which provide clients with practical advice on how to reduce energy consumption without additional investments and on the practical use of renewable energy.

Positive outcomes

The partnership enabled Solution to Market to adapt the focus of its business from the supply of energy efficient lighting solutions to energy consulting. And Cognit's experience was so successful that the company is working with the Enterprise Europe Network to identify partners in other markets.

Advising other companies considering international expansion,Jas Rayatt from Solution to Market, says:"The Enterprise Europe Network helped us find a new partner in Spain; we would encourage more SMEs to work in partnership across Europe where possible."

Eduardo de Almeida and César Nuez of Cognit say they would recommend the Network to other SMEs. "Thanks to the Enterprise Europe Network, we found a reliable partner and started a business in the UK. The Network support is vital for small companies like us and we expect to work with it for many years."