Not every innovation journey is defined by immediate funding success. In the case of AQUADAPT, the key outcome was the transformation of a promising idea into a strategically positioned innovation with a clear path for future development.
The companies behind AQUADAPT were addressing complex challenges in water management, where increasing pressure on resources calls for more adaptive and data-driven solutions. While the technical foundations were strong, further work was needed to define how digitalisation could enhance the solution and how it could be scaled within the European context.
Through the Hopero framework, the focus was placed on structuring the innovation and its development pathway. This involved refining the role of digital technologies within the solution, including data integration, monitoring, and decision-support capabilities, and ensuring alignment with broader EU priorities in green and digital transformation.
An important step in the process was analysing existing EU-funded projects and initiatives. This allowed the companies to better understand the current landscape, identify gaps, and position AQUADAPT in a way that highlights its unique contribution. At the same time, the maturity of the solution was assessed, providing clarity on its Technology Readiness Level and helping to define realistic next steps for development and deployment.
Based on this, the companies gained a clearer understanding of how EU funding can be used as part of a longer-term strategy, supporting not only initial development but also scaling, piloting, and market uptake. This shift in perspective, from a single funding opportunity to a structured funding pathway, was a key outcome of the support.
Although the initial funding attempt was not successful, the AQUADAPT initiative is now significantly better positioned for future opportunities. The project benefits from a more clearly defined innovation concept, stronger alignment with EU priorities, and a structured approach to scaling through funding and partnerships.
