Case studies – Selected Projects from the Last 3 Years (2024–2026)
More Case Studies: https://www.innology.pro/en/case-studies; https://www.innology.pro/en/case-studies,2; https://www.innology.pro/en/case-studies,3; https://www.innology.pro/en/case-studies,4
Client: Proteine Resources Ltd.
Business profile: deep-tech startup operating at the intersection of circular economy, waste management and sustainable food systems. The company developed a novel approach to transforming mushroom industry by-products into premium-quality insect-based ingredients for pet food, using mealworm larvae raised in AI-supported, strictly controlled production modules.
Industry: AI / AgriTech / Circular Economy / GreenTech
The Challenge: ProteinBoost was a venture for which the Client sought grant funding to transition from TRL 6 to TRL 8. The project was characterized by high risk and required significant capital expenditure, operating at the intersection of biology, automation/AI, regulated pet food markets, and circular supply chains. While the EIC Accelerator call was a perfect fit, translating this complex concept into a bankable, evaluation-ready proposal required addressing numerous hurdles.
Programme: EIC Accelerator
Year: 2025
Services Delivered:
-
Project Concept & Narrative Development: We crafted the core project concept and refined the EIC narrative to ensure a compelling "story" for evaluators.
-
Technical & Implementation Framework: We reinforced the application’s technical backbone by structuring the work plan around key TRL 8 deliverables and milestones.
-
Commercial Strategy & Scaling Economics: We strengthened the business case by positioning the product within the premium pet food ingredient market. This included developing competitive pricing logic, supply chain scaling strategies, and go-to-market stages—moving from initial sampling to long-term B2B contracts.
-
Compliance & Investor Readiness: We ensured full alignment for a blended finance request (grant and equity). This involved creating a credible use-of-funds and co-financing logic, alongside an impact analysis aligned with EU priorities (circular economy, resource efficiency, and reduced environmental footprint).
Result: Proteine Resources completed the full EIC Accelerator evaluation process — two application stages and a panel interview in Brussels. Outcome: EUR 9.5 million in total financing (EUR 2.5 million grant + EUR 7.0 million EIC Fund equity investment).
Grant secured: EUR 2,500,000 + EUR 7,000,000 equity investment
Testimonial: "The consultants were deeply committed to our project throughout the entire journey—from the initial application stages to the intensive interview preparations for the EIC jury in Brussels. Their support was truly multifaceted; it went far beyond navigating application complexities. They provided high-level strategic advisory that challenged us to refine our business model and gain a much deeper understanding of our value proposition.
The process culminated in a successful grant award of €9.5 million, and we are now moving forward with the ProteinBoost project. Having worked with numerous firms on various grant and funding applications, I can confidently say that UpSpark (innology group) is one of the best partners I have ever encountered. Their expertise was instrumental in turning our vision into reality." — Bart Roszkowski, Co-founder and CEO of Proteine Resources
Client: Regis sp. z o.o.
Business Profile: A large enterprise operating in the FoodTech sector. The company’s portfolio includes B2B brands (Smakovita – functional and flavor additives for the meat processing industry) and B2C brands (ACTIVLAB – functional foods, dietary products, and supplements for active individuals).
Industry: FoodTech, NutriTech
Programme: FENG SMART Path (Ścieżka SMART)
Service Delivery Year: 2024
The Challange: The client sought grant funding for the research and development of flaxseed extract and fiber as natural alternatives designed to reduce the use of synthetic food additives in the food industry.
Services Delivered:
-
Comprehensive Advisory: End-to-step guidance throughout the SMART Path application process.
-
Application Documentation: Preparation of the full proposal for the project: "Development and implementation of flaxseed extract and fiber as natural products enabling the reduction of food additives in the food industry."
-
Panel Expert Training: Specialized coaching and preparation for the mandatory interview with the expert evaluation panel.
-
Grant Settlement: Professional management and accounting of the awarded funds.
The Result: Innology delivered a complete application package, including R&D work descriptions, market analysis, profitability calculations, budgeting, and resource mapping. The application was approved for the full requested amount.
Total Project Value: 14 669 976.72 PLN
Funding Secured: 6,886,978.90 PLN
Testimonial: „The approach represented by innology, and above all their knowledge and commitment to understanding the specifics of our operations and market familiarity, led us to fully trust innology's competencies. They repaid that trust by bringing our project to success — the award of PLN 6,886,978.90 in co-financing for the R&D project: 'Development and Implementation of Flaxseed Extract and Fiber as Natural Products Enabling the Reduction of Food Additives Used in the Food Industry' under the SMART Pathway program. Based on our cooperation to date, we can certainly recommend innology as a professional, trustworthy, and effective advisor in obtaining co-financing for R&D projects." — Joanna Rychlicka-Rybska, Head of R&D, Regis Sp. z o.o.
Client: VET Planet sp. z o.o.
Business Profile: A medium-sized enterprise and a leading supplier of pet products, including supplements, specialized diets, rapid diagnostic tests, pet food, snacks, medications, and cosmetics. The company’s product range is recognized and valued in over 45 countries, with that number steadily growing. VET Planet is ranked among the TOP 5 most innovative companies in the PET Industry.
Industry: Life science, biotechnology
The Challange: The client required grant funding for the research and development of a series of advanced rapid strip tests for veterinary diagnostics.
Programme: FENG SMART Path (Ścieżka SMART)
Service Delivery Year: 2025
Services Delivered:
-
Comprehensive Advisory: End-to-end guidance throughout the SMART Path application process.
-
Application Documentation: Preparation of full proposals for three specialized R&D projects:
- Development of a rapid strip test for the detection of Streptococcus equi subsp. equi (strangles) in horses.
- Development of a rapid semi-quantitative diagnostic method for detecting Encephalitozoon cuniculi—a zoonosis prevalent in livestock and companion animal populations.
- Development of a panel of rapid quantitative diagnostic tests to determine pituitary tumor markers in rats.
-
Panel Expert Training: Specialized coaching and simulation sessions to prepare the team for the expert evaluation panel.
The Result: Innology prepared the application documentation for all three R&D projects and provided strategic optimization of their scope. All three projects were approved for the full requested amount—achieving a 100% success rate.
Total Portfolio Value: 15,961,282.17 PLN
Total Funding Secured: 11,001,027.22 PLN
Testimonial: "innology provided professional advisory services for Vet Planet Sp. z o.o. in obtaining co-financing under the FENG SMART Path Program for 3 R&D projects and advised on scope optimization. All 3 projects received co-financing in the full requested amount — 100% success rate. Total grant: PLN 11,001,027.22. During our cooperation, innology fulfilled its obligations exemplarily, exceeding our expectations. The services performed by the advisors were carried out correctly and with due diligence. We would like to thank innology and its employees for their cooperation, reliability, and commitment to date, and we can fully recommend them as a trusted partner providing services in a professional manner." — Michał Jank, Head of R&D, VET Planet Sp. z o.o.
Client: Blees sp. z o.o.
Business Profile: A deep-tech startup established in response to emerging trends and challenges in the public transport market, focusing on safe, fast, and cost-effective urban mobility solutions. The company's flagship product is an autonomous electric minibus integrated with a dedicated passenger application.
Industry: AI / ICT / Mobility / Autonomous Transport
Programme: FENG SMART Path (Ścieżka SMART)
Service Delivery Year: 2024
The Challenge: The client required grant funding for the research and development of an Intelligent Remote Management System for Autonomous Vehicles, aimed at increasing efficiency in public transit.
Services Delivered:
- Comprehensive Advisory: Strategic guidance throughout the SMART Path application process.
- Application Documentation: Preparation of the full proposal for the project: "Intelligent Remote Management System for Autonomous Vehicles as the Key to Efficiency in Public Transport."
- Panel Expert Training: Specialized coaching to prepare the team for the expert evaluation panel.
- Grant Settlement: Ongoing management and accounting of the awarded funds.
The Result: Innology prepared the full application and provided end-to-end support during the evaluation phase. The project was awarded the full requested amount. The proposal received a high score of 21/25 points, including maximum scores for innovation and market transformation potential.
Total Project Value: 11,139,412.50 PLN
Funding Secured: 7,885,609.13 PLN
Key Scores: 12/12 pts for R&D-based Innovation; 5/5 pts for Market Transformation Potential.
Testimonial: "We collaborated with Innology P.S.A. on our grant application for the 'Intelligent Remote Management System' under the FENG SMART Path program. This is another project handled by Innology’s advisors, and once again, the collaboration was a success, resulting in a grant of over 7.8 million PLN.
We rate the services provided by their specialized team very highly, which is reflected in our application’s score—21/25 points, including maximum points in every category we applied for. Innology has once again proven to be a reliable and competent partner in securing R&D project funding." — Tomasz Pacan, Managing Director, Blees Sp. z o.o.
