Design for complementary strengths
Map capabilities before you invite anyone. Founders often recruit too many similar partners, leaving gaps in commercialisation or demonstration.
Use a capabilities matrix to see where you need SMEs, OEMs, research or policy voices, then design your consortium around those gaps.
Governance beats good intentions
Publish a governance cadence early. Weekly stand-ups, a steering committee and a single source of truth for deliverables will keep partners aligned when deadlines bite.
Back this up with decision logs and simple MoUs so there are no surprises when the submission portal opens.
- Nominate a delivery lead and technical lead
- Agree how IP is handled across partners
- Define escalation paths for blockers
Tell a human story
Reviewers remember narratives that connect climate impact, customer pain and the team capable of executing. Bring real users and deployment sites into the story so it’s more than a list of tasks.
Use quotes or short caselets to remind assessors that the project will land in the real world.