CONSORTIUM & STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS

Service Description

In the landscape of European and international funding, successful innovation rarely happens in isolation. Building the right consortium or strategic partnership can dramatically increase the competitiveness, capacity, and sustainability of your project. At APES, we specialise in designing and enabling collaborative frameworks that bring together the right expertise, shared values, and aligned visions. With access to a network of over 3,000 stakeholders across Europe, including research institutions, deep-tech SMEs, corporates, clusters, accelerators, and public agencies, we help clients build strong, mission-aligned consortia. These are not just formal partnerships, but purposeful collaborations structured around complementary competencies and clearly defined roles. We facilitate partnerships for competitive proposals, such as those under Horizon Europe, EU Defence Fund, Digital Europe, or EIC Pathfinder. Our approach focuses on early strategic alignment, ensuring that each partner contributes meaningfully to the project’s objectives while fulfilling eligibility and evaluation criteria. We guide clients through partner search, matchmaking, consortium structuring, and negotiation of collaboration models and responsibilities. Beyond proposal preparation, APES supports the formation of long-term alliances — consortia that can evolve into innovation platforms, joint ventures, or international clusters. These partnerships go beyond a single call and often result in continuous innovation pipelines, shared infrastructure, and joint investment strategies. We also enable entry into major European initiatives, including EC pilot programmes, innovation networks, and public-private partnerships, helping clients gain visibility and credibility in competitive ecosystems. Our team provides intelligence on emerging consortia, thematic calls, and stakeholder coalitions, ensuring clients are positioned early and effectively. Our services include pre-consortium positioning, partner vetting, MoU drafting, and facilitation of internal governance structures. Whether you're a start-up seeking visibility, a university coordinating a large-scale research bid, or a public agency aiming to drive regional development, we help build the relationships that unlock access, funding, and long-term impact. With APES by your side, collaboration becomes a strategic asset — not just a requirement.