Discover how international partnerships, trade fairs, and strategic matchmaking help companies innovate, expand internationally, and succeed in European projects with the support of Tiko Pro.
International collaboration has become one of the key drivers of innovation, growth, and successful participation in European projects. Building strong partnerships, engaging with organisations across borders, and actively participating in international events can open doors to new knowledge, markets, and funding opportunities. In this edition of our newsletter, we spoke with Larysa Podhostnik, Manager for EU Business and Partnership Development at Tiko Pro, about the importance of international cooperation, the process of building successful consortia, and why events such as international trade fairs and conferences are essential for creating long-term business opportunities.
International collaboration is at the heart of many successful EU-funded projects. Why is building partnerships across borders becoming increasingly important for companies today?
I believe international collaboration has never been more important than it is today. Innovation is becoming increasingly complex, and no single organisation has all the knowledge, expertise, or resources needed to address every challenge on its own. By building partnerships across borders, companies gain access to new perspectives, complementary competencies, and opportunities that would otherwise remain out of reach.
At the same time, European projects are built on collaboration. Strong consortia bring together organisations from different countries, sectors, and backgrounds, creating solutions that are more innovative, impactful, and scalable. For companies, these partnerships often go far beyond a single project. They can lead to long-term cooperation, new business opportunities, and access to international markets.
The good news is that building these connections can happen in many different ways - through existing networks, project collaborations, brokerage events, and, very importantly, through participation in international conferences and trade fairs, where some of the most valuable partnerships often begin.
You mentioned that many partnerships begin at international events. Tiko Pro regularly attends trade fairs and conferences across Europe - why are these events so important, and what opportunities do they create for companies looking to innovate and expand internationally?
International events and trade fairs are one of the best places to build meaningful partnerships. They bring together companies, researchers, investors, and innovators from different countries and sectors, creating opportunities that would otherwise take much longer to establish.
At Tiko Pro, we strongly believe in being present where innovation happens. In 2026 alone, we have actively participated in leading international conferences, exhibitions, and European Commission Info Days, including the EDF Info Days 2026, EXPO FOODTECH & Food 4 Future World Summit (Bilbao), BioInnovations Europe (The Hague), VivaTech (Paris), ees Europe (Electrical Energy Storage) (Munich), and GITEX AI Europe (Berlin).
These events are much more than networking opportunities. They help us identify emerging trends, meet potential partners, and explore new project ideas for European collaborative innovation and EU-funded projects.. In fact, many successful consortia and collaborations begin with a simple conversation at an international event.
International trade fairs require investment. Are there funding mechanisms that support companies in attending these events?
Yes, support is available, although it usually does not come directly from European programmes. Many EU Member States have established national funding schemes that encourage companies, particularly SMEs, to participate in international trade fairs and strengthen their international presence.
In Slovenia, for example, SMEs can apply for co-financing of individual participation at international trade fairs through the JR SEJMI 24-28 call. The scheme supports costs such as exhibition space rental, stand setup, technical connections, and exhibition equipment, helping companies present their products and services to international audiences and build new business partnerships.
At Tiko Pro, we regularly support companies in securing funding for participation at international trade fairs, helping them prepare strong applications and maximise the impact of their presence at these events.
Good international connections can make it much easier to build strong consortia for European projects. However, consortium building is often one of the most challenging parts of preparing a project proposal. What makes a consortium successful, and what qualities do you look for in potential partners?
A successful consortium is about much more than simply bringing together organisations from different countries. The best consortia are built on trust, complementary expertise, and a shared vision of what the project aims to achieve.
When looking for partners, we always consider several factors. Of course, technical expertise and experience are important, but equally important are reliability, commitment, and the willingness to collaborate openly. European projects often run for several years, so you need partners who are proactive, communicate well, and are ready to contribute beyond their individual tasks.
This is also why international networking matters so much. Building relationships through previous projects, trade fairs, and international events allows us to get to know potential partners before a call is even published. In many cases, the strongest consortia are not built when a funding opportunity appears - they are built over time through long-term collaboration and mutual trust.
Many companies hesitate to engage in international partnerships because they see them as time-consuming or difficult to manage. What would you say to organisations that are still unsure whether international collaboration is worth the investment?
I understand why some companies hesitate. International collaboration requires time, effort, and stepping outside your usual business environment. However, in today's rapidly changing and highly competitive landscape, working in isolation is becoming increasingly difficult.
International partnerships give companies access to new knowledge, technologies, markets, and perspectives. They create opportunities to learn from others, develop innovative solutions, and build relationships that can lead to new projects and business opportunities. In many cases, the value of these connections extends far beyond a single European project.
The good news is that companies do not have to start this journey alone. Even if an organisation has little or no international network, that should not be seen as a barrier. Over the past 15 years, Tiko Pro has built extensive international partnerships and developed strong matchmaking expertise, helping companies identify the right opportunities and connect with the right partners across Europe.
Through this conversation with Larysa, we gained valuable insights into how international partnerships, trade fairs, and strong consortia can open new opportunities for innovation and growth. We also learned that building an international network does not have to be a challenge companies face alone. With 15 years of experience in European projects, consortium building, and international matchmaking, Tiko Pro helps organisations identify the right opportunities, connect with trusted partners, and successfully position themselves in the European innovation ecosystem. Whether a company is taking its first steps internationally or looking to expand its existing network, the right connections can become a powerful driver of future growth.