From Horizon Europe Exploitation Plan to Real-World Impact

This 3-hour online course brings together leading experts from Europa Media Trainings and UNICO to provide a comprehensive understanding of the European Commission's exploitation and business planning requirements under Horizon Europe - and how to realistically turn research results into market-ready solutions. Tailored for research managers, innovation officers, and project partners involved in EU-funded R&I projects, the course bridges the gap between EC expectations and the practical steps required to create value from research, taking into account Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs), through commercialisation strategies, real-life business planning, and organisational commitment. 

Topics covered

• Overview of Horizon Europe’s exploitation and business plan requirements 

• Key elements of the final Exploitation and Dissemination Plan  

• Business planning within an EU-funded project: what the EC expects 

• Real-life business plan development: from prototype to product or service 

• Intellectual Property Rights (IPR): when and how to protect your results 

• Commercialisation pathways: licensing, patenting, or launching a spin-off 

• Role of Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) in shaping commercialisation strategy 

• Required resources, knowledge, and institutional support for exploitation 

• EC expectations vs. real-world implementation: challenges and solutions 

• Case studies and lessons learned from actual Horizon Europe projects 

Learning Outcomes   

By the end of the course, participants will clearly understand both the formal exploitation and business planning expectations of the European Commission under Horizon Europe. They will be able to differentiate between what is required in the project documentation and what is needed in practice to successfully bring research results to the market. Participants will also gain insights into developing a practical business plan aligned with commercialisation goals such as licensing, IP protection, or spin-off creation. 

About Europa Media Trainings

Europa Media is a leading organisation in EU research and innovation training, with over two decades of experience in developing and managing EU-funded projects. Known for their practical, hands-on approach, Europa Media delivers expert guidance on Horizon Europe rules, proposal writing, project implementation, exploitation planning, and financial management - helping institutions across Europe turn their research ideas into successful EU projects.

About UNICO

UNICO is a specialized consulting firm at the intersection of Deep Tech, innovation, and market strategy, dedicated to empowering startups, universities, and private sector companies. With a proven track record of founding and scaling university spin-offs, conducting market-validated business case refinements, and bridging academia with industry, we bring a unique blend of technical, strategic, and market insights.

We collaborate with venture capital funds, corporations, government agencies, and universities to assess, validate, and scale cutting-edge technologies. Our expertise spans technology scouting, intellectual property evaluation and valuation, market validation, and business development. Leveraging structured frameworks and a vast network of domain experts, we help clients make informed decisions, mitigate risks, and unlock new opportunities.

Discover the services and solutions of UNICO on their website, and follow them on LinkedIn for the latest updates.