“Booster provides expert input and strategic direction, but long-term exploitation depends on how consistently this input is integrated into the ongoing work of the project.” These are the words of Antonello Fiorucci, Booster expert. In a recent Q&A, he shared his insights and practical tips on how to make the most of Booster as a beneficiary and turn collaboration into lasting impact, focusing on the exploitation of research results.
“Don’t treat Booster as a substitute for your own exploitation efforts.”
When asked how beneficiaries can make the most of Booster from the start, Antonello highlighted the importance of remaining proactive: “From Day 1, you are responsible for planning and implementing your exploitation strategy as outlined in your proposal. Exploitation planning lasts throughout, and beyond, the project; it’s not a last-minute task. Engage all partners (technical, academic, industrial) early on, using shared tools and templates to build a robust plan. Arriving at Booster with that groundwork in motion allows for deeper, more targeted support.”
Building on the work done with Booster to deliver lasting results
Antonello then emphasised the importance of actively implementing the received recommendations and not just treat the process as a box-ticking exercise. Even if Booster provides expert advice and strategic direction, the project’s long-term success will depend on how this advice is integrated into the ongoing work of the project. He added that teams should embed the insights into their internal processes, adapt the roadmap when needed, and keep revisiting assumptions as the project progresses. “This means following up on different target groups engagement, strengthening the exploitation model with concrete actions. It’s also key to maintaining momentum beyond the Booster sessions. The value comes when recommendations are turned into follow-ups - pilot actions, partnerships, or funding strategies - ensuring that the developed solutions have a real pathway to uptake after the project ends.”
A recurring issue: the lack of a clearly defined use model for each Key Exploitable Result (KER)
Based on his experience with EU-funded projects, Antonello points to a recurring challenge: the lack of a clearly defined use model for each Key Exploitable Result (KER).
A KER is an identified result selected due to its high potential to be exploited. “Understanding the role of the adopters is crucial. Without this clarity, it becomes difficult to design a compelling exploitation path.”
According to him, many do not clearly define the users, beneficiaries, and drivers of the solution. In this context, understanding the role of the adopters is a crucial point. “Without this clarity, it becomes difficult to design a compelling exploitation path. Final beneficiaries and adopters are often not the same, and if the consortium does not recognise this distinction, it may end up addressing the wrong needs.” Then, he added: “A well-defined adopter/customer profile also lays the foundation for a strong Unique Value Proposition (UVP). The UVP should answer a simple but crucial question: why should the adopter switch to our solution rather than stick with current (possibly suboptimal) alternatives? Getting this right means the consortium can articulate a realistic path to uptake—one that’s based on real user needs, not assumptions.”
Booster: guiding you through the journey
Booster does not replace your project team or rebuild the strategies from scratch. Instead, it acts as a catalyst by bringing expert insights and structured guidance to support projects in refining their exploitation approach.
Antonello emphasised it by stating that: "The real impact of Booster depends on how actively project teams integrate and implement these recommendations into their daily work. This means following up on the suggested steps, adapting the roadmap as the project evolves, and keeping end-users at the heart of every decision. If used in this context, Booster becomes more than a support service: it helps to transform promising research results into solutions that can reach people and create lasting impact."
 (1)_small.webp)
The recent Booster Info Session offered a comprehensive overview of the services available to EU-funded projects, how and why to apply and featured a testimony by an EU-funded project benefitting from the services. For those who attended (and those who couldn’t), here are eight key takeaways we've selected from the event.
_small.webp)
Booster was recently featured in the 2025 edition of the Projects to Policy Seminar, one of the European Commission’s Directorate General HOME’s flagship events, held earlier this month, offering a valuable opportunity for EU-funded projects to learn more about the tailored and free-of-charge support services that Booster offers.
Booster is a collaborative support service designed to mentor EU-funded project researchers grow their project’s impact and real-world application. The process is hands-on and co-creative: Booster experts bring tailored advice and tools, while beneficiaries remain at the centre of the journey.
(8)_small.webp)
Turning research findings into tangible benefits has proven challenging for many EU-funded projects. While Europe is a global leader in generating high-quality research, there’s a well-recognised struggle to translate these findings into market-ready solutions - known as the “European paradox”. Booster’s Go-To-Market support service is designed to address this issue, helping researchers bridge the gap between innovation and impact.