WE ARE HORIZON PARTNERS
We help our clients win European R&D grants and Tax Reimbursements, specifically from Horizon Europe and local R&D grant funding bodies.
WHAT WE DO
We are a boutique consulting firm with a combined
experience of 50 years in R&D grant proposal writing.
We are focused on building long term relationships with our clients, helping them find and win public European grants. Our services include project assessment to find the right grant opportunity, strategy, proposal writing, and pitch training.
TEAM
Einar Sigvaldason - partner
Senior R&D Grant Consultant & Writer.
Strategy and Product Innovation Expert.
Business Coach with the European Innovation Council (EISMEA)
MBA from UC Berkeley.
Certified Securities Dealer & Fund Manager, University of Iceland.
20 years as co-founder and CEO of three software startups, where he won 5 large R&D grants and acquired hands-on experience in grant proposal and business plan writing as well as investor- and sales pitch creation.
6 years as a professional R&D grant writing expert, executive coach, and teacher on entrepreneurship where he teaches grant writing, business operations, and sales- and communication techniques in various settings and circumstances. Einar runs an entrepreneurship accelerator program under contract with VMST (The Icelandic Directorate of Labour) and has taught courses at VIRK, Endurmenntun, VR, MSS, SSNE, SSNV, SSNE, Iðan and Austurbrú.
Einar’s success rate with grant writing can be summarized as 50% his own companies (5 grants won, out of 10 trials), 86% full service to clients (6 larger grants won, out of 7 trials) and 55% partial service to clients (17 grants won, out of 32 trials).
Einar has worked with prominent startups and public entities, including: LakiPower, Reon, Nanitor, IMS, Solid Clouds, Hefring, Retinarisk, CodeNorth, Alfreð, Martak, and The Engine / Pipar TBWA.
Runar Thor Thorarinsson - partner
Senior R&D Grant Consultant & Writer.
Innovation Strategist
Game and Story Designer
Strong Record of Success in R&D Grant Acquisition
Cand Mag literature U of Tromso, Cand Philol. Literature U of Iceland
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10 years as co-founder of Askur Games, Gameson, Vitar Games, and bitVinci. CEO of Askur Games and senior game and story designer at CCP and Funcom. Senior leadership at Novomatic LS and First Water, where he served as Director of Innovation and Sustainability, managing large-scale R&D programs and EU-funded initiatives in renewable energy and sustainable aquaculture. Expertise in designing high-impact proposals, securing funding from national and European innovation and tax refund programs.
Runar has secured a total of €27 million in grants and reimbursements for clients and his own companies. His most significant award was a €6.29 million EIC grant for the Terraforming LIFE project in 2022, supporting land-based aquaculture for First Water.
Grant writing success rate can be summarized as 90% for marketing grants, 50% for local Local technical innovation grants, 100% as main coordinator for European EIC grants (50% overall) and 75% for Icelandic tax refund grants (annual reapplications).
Notable collaborations and clients include First Water, MT Sport, Langa, Laxey, Kæling, bitVinci, Norðurdalur, and Gameson — representing sectors such as green technology, game design, digital innovation, and sustainable production.
CRITERIA
We work with R&D companies and startups based in the EU/EEA that fulfill the following criteria.
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The technology is novel, the project has excellence in its approach, technology, or design, and the solution is market-creating.
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The project is high impact, meaning that it has the potential to significantly impact its industry and existing infrastructure in a novel way.
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The company has a proven track record, has operational history, and has secured funding.
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The team is highly capable in its field (founders, employees, development partners) and has a strong network in relevant industries/sectors.
Bonus points if the company has a gender diverse team and gender equality in the C-suite.
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The core purpose of the company or the project is to improve society or the environment in one way or another.
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The project addresses an important challenge set forth by Horizon Europe. These change frequently and can include environmental impact, deep tech development, biotech, health challenges, pharmaceuticals, green technologies, and many more.
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A previous grant application with positive feedback and/or other valuable documentation exists.
HOW IT WORKS
Fee structure
We are result-driven, which is reflected in our fee structure.
We charge a competitive fixed fee for the R&D grant proposal writing and a success fee if the grant proposal is successful.
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Collaboration
Horizon Partners take the lead in writing and submitting the application. Writing takes place in close collaboration with the client and is based on data, documents, and information provided by the client.
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Documentation
Depending on existing documentation, in some cases the client will be asked to provide further documentation, e.g. work packages, technological descriptions, etc.
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Reports
If the grant is won, the client will turn in any periodic reports and documents required by the grant provider. Horizon Partners will assist as needed for no additional charges as this is covered by the success fee.
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Repeat
It is very unusual to win a grant from the first application submitted, so if unsuccessful the first time around, we'll try again. The number of tries depends on the funds rules regarding resubmissions.
