Coral Awards 2026: Scientific Innovation From the Start
Evolution Europe supports scientific innovation by sponsoring the Coral Awards 2026
Evolution Europe and its commitment to innovation from the very beginning: “The future is built by supporting scientific talent from its earliest stages”
At a time when innovation has become a strategic pillar for economic and social development, initiatives such as the Coral Awards, dedicated to scientific entrepreneurship, highlight something essential: the connection between science, entrepreneurship and knowledge transfer.
We spoke with Víctor Rodríguez, CEO of Evolution Europe, about the company’s role in this ecosystem and its commitment to supporting R&D from the earliest stages.
1. Why are events like the Coral Awards important?
The Coral Awards represent much more than recognition. They are a platform to give visibility to those who are transforming scientific knowledge into real solutions, which is crucial for the evolution of our society and the sustainable economic growth of a country like ours.
Today, Europe needs to strengthen its innovation ecosystem. But this ecosystem is not built only through large, established companies. It also requires supporting researchers, startups and scientific projects from the very beginning, especially those with the potential to generate real impact. Events like this help create community, connect talent and accelerate that process.
2. What does it mean for Evolution Europe to participate as a main sponsor?
For us, it is not only a matter of visibility, but also of strategic alignment.
At Evolution Europe, we work precisely at that critical point where innovation needs structure, support and vision in order to grow. Being present as main sponsors, and also being directly linked to one of the awards, allows us to play an active role in supporting scientific entrepreneurship. In addition, the event offers the opportunity to interact with a highly qualified environment, with media presence, R&D&I ecosystems and specialised channels, which amplifies the impact of any initiative presented there.
3. You often talk about strengthening the innovation ecosystem. What does that really mean?
It means building an ecosystem where innovation becomes easier, more frequent and more sustainable. This involves facilitating knowledge transfer, reducing barriers between science and business, supporting projects in their initial phases and, above all, creating the right conditions so that ideas, initiatives and the talent behind them are not lost.
It is often in these earliest stages that innovation faces the greatest difficulties, due to the level of risk involved. The major challenge is not only to innovate, but to ensure that this innovation reaches the market and creates real value.
4. How is this reflected in Evolution Europe’s strategy?
Our commitment is clear: to support innovation from its earliest stages. As a consultancy working in innovation, there is nothing more rewarding than seeing projects we have supported from their initial phases evolve and eventually reach the market.
Very often, the projects with the greatest potential are also the most vulnerable in their early stages. That is where we believe we can add the most value: by helping to structure, validate and scale these initiatives. That is why it makes so much sense to begin this journey with the Coral Awards. We are talking about projects that are born from science and need that first push to become real solutions.
5. What do you expect from this collaboration with Coral?
Above all, we expect to generate impact.
Impact in terms of visibility, helping more projects become known. Impact in terms of connection, bringing talent, investors and institutions closer together. And impact in terms of continuity, because this collaboration does not end with the event, but will continue over time through initiatives such as webinars, content and actions within the scientific community.
6. Finally, what message would you share with the innovation ecosystem?
Do not give up. We are becoming increasingly dependent on innovation. The world and society have entered a state of constant change and evolution, and we increasingly depend on disruptive ideas becoming a reality. We need an ecosystem that not only generates ideas, but is also capable of retaining talent, scaling projects and supporting researchers throughout their professional development and evolution.
We have the talent, the scientific capacity and the tools. What we need is to make a firm commitment to supporting that talent from the beginning. If we want a more competitive, sustainable and future-ready economy, we must invest in innovation. But not only in the final stages, or in more advanced phases of development, but from the very beginning. That is where initiatives like Coral, and collaborations such as the one with Evolution Europe, make a difference.
Through its participation in the Coral Awards 2026, Evolution Europe reinforces its commitment to scientific talent and innovation from the earliest stages.
Are you developing an R&D&I project?
At Evolution Europe, we support startups, SMEs, universities and research centres in the structuring, financing and growth of innovative projects.
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