E-BOOST Project Connects Electromobility Innovators with Investors in Helmond
Helmond, Netherlands – On April 10th, Helmond played host to a dynamic Investors and Sponsors Day, organized under the umbrella of the EU-funded E-BOOST project. The event served as a crucial nexus, bringing together forward-thinking investors and sponsors with the groundbreaking winners of E-BOOST’s various open calls within the burgeoning electromobility sector.
The day’s core objective was to cultivate meaningful collaborations, facilitate vital knowledge exchange, and unlock significant investment opportunities within the industry. Through a carefully curated agenda featuring engaging workshops, insightful panel discussions, and compelling presentations, the event effectively educated stakeholders on the latest investment trends and promising avenues for growth. Importantly, the initiative provided a unique platform for the E-BOOST winners to directly engage with seasoned entrepreneurs who are actively shaping the future of mobility. Ultimately, this powerful initiative aims to significantly accelerate the expansion and innovation within the European electromobility ecosystem.
The agenda was strategically designed to empower small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and dynamic start-ups that are at the forefront of cutting-edge advancements in the field. A highlight of the day included dynamic pitching sessions where innovators showcased their solutions and collaborative workshops fostering direct interaction.
Attendees also had the exclusive opportunity to participate in two insightful site visits. The first took them to VDL ETS, gaining valuable insights into their specialized battery testing capabilities, encompassing everything from individual cells to complete battery systems, including Battery Management Systems (BMS). Following this, participants visited the facilities of TNO Powertrain Test Center, where they explored state-of-the-art hydrogen testing applications that are poised to revolutionize the industry.
The E-BOOST Investors & Sponsors Day was organized after the Drive Forward conference. Drive Forward stands as a premier European conference dedicated to the cutting edge of automotive innovation. This biennial event, held from April 7th to 9th, 2025, at the Automotive Campus in Helmond, Netherlands, converges presentations, interactive discussions, and live demonstrations to spotlight the latest advancements in mobility. Attracting over 700 daily attendees—including industry leaders, researchers, and policymakers—Drive Forward fosters significant collaboration and networking. Its unique format blends insightful presentations with engaging panels, in-depth explorations, and dynamic live demonstrations both on-site and in surrounding test environments.
Drive Forward proved valuable for SMEs, illuminating the pressing need to adapt to battery and hydrogen technologies. The event facilitated crucial connections with key (mainly) Dutch industry leaders, including DAF Trucks and VDL Bus & Coaches. This pivotal day offered insights and fostered ideas, contributing to a greener and more sustainable e-mobility sector. Furthermore, it provided a platform for the E-BOOST SMEs to learn about and potentially adopt new-to-firm process innovations and business models.
Together with Drive Forward, the E-BOOST Investors & Sponsors Day marked a significant milestone, successfully uniting winners from the past two years of E-BOOST open calls, representing an impressive diversity of talent with over 15 nationalities present. This vibrant gathering underscored the pan-European impact of the E-BOOST project and its commitment to fostering a truly international electromobility community.
