Success stories

New entrepreneur:
Marco Nieto Lojo (Spain)
Age: 22
Company name: EO Energía (Start-up)
Sector of activity: Energy, fuel, electricity and other sources of energy

Host entrepreneur:
Joakim Byström (Sweden)
Age: 54
www.absolicon.com (30 years of experience)
Sector of activity: Energy, fuel, electricity and other sources of energy

Marco Nieto, a chemical engineer and finalist of the Rethink Waste Challenge at Wageningen University, founded EO Energía, his start-up focused on renewable energy. Driven by the desire to step out of his comfort zone and grow professionally, he joined the EYE programme to specialise in the renewable energy sector, expand his network, and gain international experience.

Joakim Byström has dedicated his life to making a difference in the global energy landscape and reducing CO₂ emissions. As an inventor, he holds several patents in the field of solar thermal energy, and as an entrepreneur, he has founded multiple companies to commercialise his innovations. He is currently the CEO and Chairman of Absolicon, a board member of Logosol AB, and Chairman of Eniara.

During the exchange, the expansion of Absolicon in Southern Europe, particularly in Spain, was initiated, and the strategic focus of EO Energía was further defined.

The collaboration with the Host Entrepreneur was excellent, as they had already met at a renewable energy event in Madrid prior to the exchange. They held regular meetings to set objectives and make joint decisions. The Host Entrepreneur provided the New Entrepreneur with the autonomy to lead the project, while ensuring that both remained informed and aligned throughout the process.

Additionally, the New Entrepreneur spent two weeks at the collaborating company, MG, where they observed different working approaches and established connections with other entrepreneurs.

Throughout the experience, a deep understanding of the Host Entrepreneur’s business approach was gained, particularly how trust and responsibility within the team contribute to a productive, pressure-free working environment.

Overall, this collaboration significantly enhanced both professional development and networking within the renewable energy sector.

The exchange provided numerous benefits, both personally and professionally. It enabled the development of new contacts, offered the opportunity to work and grow in a different country, and enhanced social skills, pressure management, and project leadership. In particular, it strengthened competencies in project design and management.

Future prospects for cooperation include continuing the collaboration with Absolicon as an external professional, supporting market expansion, as well as maintaining connections with other industry partners. These relationships are expected to be valuable for future guidance and for increasing visibility within the renewable energy sector.

This experience has had a significant impact on both personal growth and professional development. It has provided a renewed perspective on how to approach business, making it a highly differentiating factor for future ventures.

For more information, please contact the local contact points involved in the exchange:

New entrepreneur's contact point:
UNINOVA - Sociedade para a Promoción de Iniciativas Empresariais Innovadoras, M.P., S.L. (Santiago De Compostela, Spain)

Host entrepreneur's contact point:
European Minds AB (Luleå, Sweden)

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