Back in 2008, graduated from a BA in European Studies (University College Cork) and an MA in International Politics and Europe (University of Warwick), it seemed inevitable that the next step was Brussels. Less inevitable was that 10 years down the line, with practical experience of how the EU machine really works, I would start to collaborate in the family business. Hyperion (www.hyperion.ie) provides training courses to researchers and research support staff in universities and research centres on how to successfully participate in Horizon Europe. In addition to delivering my part of the training courses, focusing on the top-down Pillar 2 of Horizon Europe, I also prepare Hyperion Proposal Intelligence reports. Every topic has a policy background and it is my job to provide that insight to the researchers, putting their hard work into the EU context. Since 2023, my part in Hyperion's training courses extends to individual workshops, aimed at newcomers to Pillar II of Horizon Europe. These workshops can be delivered online or in-person. Do get in touch if you are interested in attending or organising a course or in ordering a Hyperion Proposal Intelligence report.