Porelio

As the team moved from research to starting a company, existing technology transfer played a crucial role. As co-founder Rhea Machado explains, one of the biggest challenges at first was making the transition from scientific research to entrepreneurial practice. While the technological development was already based on many years of research, launching the company brought with it a whole new set of challenges—from developing a viable business model and building customer relationships to preparing for meetings with investors. The exist Research Transfer program not only provided the team with the necessary financial security to further develop the technology but also gave them the freedom to gradually find their footing in their roles as entrepreneurs. The personal support provided was particularly valuable. In addition to coaching and networking opportunities, Machado especially highlights the close collaboration with the designated exist contact person, who supported the team throughout the entire funding phase. It was precisely this combination of financial support, individualized advice, and access to a strong network that played a key role in helping the team take the technology beyond the research context and lay the foundation for the company’s future growth.

Today, Porelio employs a growing team and is working to bring its technology to industrial application. Following the successful completion of a €2.4 million funding round, the company is focusing on scaling up the production of its materials to an industrial scale and transforming existing industrial collaborations into commercial partnerships. Porelio’s development demonstrates how scientific research, supported by existing technology transfer initiatives, can give rise to a company that develops innovative solutions to current challenges.