Success stories

In a world where sustainability is no longer a buzzword but a way of life, two Italian companies, Vastarredo srl and Xera srl, have embarked on remarkable journeys towards a more sustainable future.

French start-up Vectura System's journey to introduce their ground-breaking hybridisation retrofit system for light commercial vehicles into the German market showcases the indispensable role played by the Enterprise Europe Network. Hindered by domestic regulations, Vectura System turned to the Network for guidance. With our expert legal advisers, seamless collaboration between Network partners, and a strategic approach, Vectura System not only gained vital insights into German regulations, but also established a flourishing presence in Hamburg.

Centrica, an SME with a passion for cutting-edge technologies and artistic heritage, found a transformative path to success with the help of Enterprise Europe Network. Through its subsidiary, ArtCentrica, the company ventured into the EdTech sector, offering innovative tools for art education. Thanks to the support and opportunities provided by the Enterprise Europe Network, Centrica expanded its horizons and achieved international recognition, making significant strides in the digital art world.

The internet is everywhere, from the planes in our skies to the trains under our feet – but venture underwater and the situation is very different. Radio waves travel much slower through water and can easily be disrupted, making cableless communication incredibly difficult. However, an Italian technology firm has pioneered the underwater Internet of Things, allowing for secure communication between underwater sensors and vehicles resulting in the better monitoring of marine environments.

For small businesses with big ideas, raising the capital needed for research and development investment is the first and often the biggest challenge. With support from the Enterprise Europe Network, an Italian SME sought to make its cookware products, anti-bacterial, greener and more efficient using nanotechnology and specialised coatings.

Households account for almost 20% of the EU’s greenhouse gas emissions. Political efforts to offset this environmental burden are driving demand for more energy efficient buildings. The Enterprise Europe Network helped an Estonian manufacturer of green buildings take advantage of this opportunity by expanding into Sweden, where they have laid the foundations for more sustainable housing. With two contracts in Sweden, together worth EUR 2.5 million, Timbeco is now looking to expand even further.

Over 11 million hectares of land in Europe are dedicated to organic farming and demand for organic products continues to increase. For Polish SME BHZ Agromat, this presented a real opportunity to scale up their organic grain business and start trading across Europe. Agromat became one of Poland’s biggest organic grain traders thanks to the Enterprise Europe Network’s support.

Harvesting the energy of our tides could be the next big source of clean, cheap and reliable electricity, but the sector is still in its infancy. Thanks to local support from the Enterprise Europe Network, Scotland’s Nova Innovation Ltd was able to connect its tidal technology to the grid well before the big multinational energy companies.

Steering French innovation on the road to global success with help from the Enterprise Europe Network.

Sports equipment innovation developed in Sweden undergoes expert testing in Italy thanks to the Enterprise Europe Network.