Make the best out of the Booster experience: insights from a Booster expert

In a recent Q&A, Booster expert Raluca Cibu-Buzac shared her observations. Having accompanied various projects in their Booster journey, she has seen what works, what doesn’t, and how research teams evolve throughout the process. In the following interview, she shares her insights and practical tips on turning collaboration into lasting impact, with a particular focus on the exploitation of research results.

Booster supports EU-funded project researchers in generating impact through their research results. Through a hands-on, co-creative process, Booster experts provide tailored guidance to beneficiaries, while making sure they remain at the centre of the entire journey.

In a recent Q&A, Booster expert Raluca Cibu-Buzac shared her observations. Having accompanied various projects in their Booster journey, she has seen what works, what doesn’t, and how research teams evolve throughout the process. In the following interview, she shares her insights and practical tips on turning collaboration into lasting impact, with a particular focus on the exploitation of research results.

What is the biggest challenge for research teams when thinking about market impact?

“I would say that one of the biggest challenges is starting to think about and implement exploitation activities. Researchers are very enthusiastic about opening up to a new domain. At the same time, they often have expectations about the process but later realise that it is different from what they initially imagined. Because we go step by step through all the modules and services, their approach to exploitation evolves significantly. It changes their mindset and the way they see their research and innovation results in the market. There is a real shift between what they know at the beginning and what happens in reality.”

What does the Go-to-Market service do for Booster beneficiaries?

“The Go-to-Market support service is a very comprehensive package. We have a framework, and we always discuss with researchers the activities they want to achieve, the timeline, the resources they can dedicate, the milestones, and how they will proceed. It is very important to remain realistic when building this exploitation roadmap as part of the overall exploitation strategy. We can support projects that wish to develop an exploitation strategy or those seeking commercialisation. We can also focus on business planning, which is often essential for research teams. For projects needing advisory support to secure further funding or set up an entrepreneurial initiative, such as a start-up or spin-off, we also have the relevant modules.”

She added: “The Go-to-Market service therefore offers an extensive support landscape. What I would particularly highlight is the role of the second step, the unique value proposition (UVP). I would say this is the foundation for everything we build afterwards with researchers and innovators, because the UVP lays the groundwork for all the strategies that follow.”

A before-and-after Booster journey

After discussing Booster itself and the challenges faced by research teams, Raluca was asked about the changes she observed in Booster beneficiaries throughout their journey.

“Well, something interesting happens as a consequence of the Booster process. Researchers often begin with a certain format, shape, use model, or mode of delivery for their results. But after going through the different steps and reaching the exploitation strategy phase, they realise that their research and innovation results need to be presented differently from what they had initially foreseen.” She continued: “When you have research results in your laboratory or testing environment, you look at them and think: this is the solution, everything is clear. But once you start asking who will use it, what the market trends are, or who the competitors are, you realise that the discussion around the result needs to expand. When you present it to users, it often looks different from the initial research result developed in the laboratory or testing phase, especially in the way it is communicated.”

Finally, she advised Booster applicants to clearly identify which results they want to focus on: “This prioritisation and channelling of efforts and resources is very important. From the early phases, researchers should identify a key number of results that best solve the problems faced by adopters and users. In many cases, I see researchers going through a real transformation during the Booster process.”

Booster will support you at every step

Booster, available through the new EU Innovation Platform, supports researchers through a series of tailored tools and methods delivered across its different services, with complete flexibility. Whether projects are in an early or advanced phase, every stage is an opportunity to reflect on exploitation strategies and strengthen the market relevance of research results.

To fully benefit from the experience, applicants must be ready to embrace change, adapt their approach, and rethink how they communicate their innovation. Booster encourages researchers to transform the way they position, present, and develop their results for real-world adoption and long-term impact.