Open Calls
F.A.Q.
About InnoMatch
How does InnoMatch work?
Powered by the EIC Innovation Procurement Programme, an initiative of the European Innovation Council (EIC), InnoMatch is an initiative focused on bringing access and visibility to the European procurement market scenario. We offer financial support to selected EIC Awardees (EIC granted beneficiaries) to implement their solutions in a pilot testing structure to solve buyers innovation challenges.
What are the timelines for this open call 1?
This call will be receiving applications from pairs of EIC Awardees & Buyers until 17 April 2025 at 17.00 CEST (Brussels time). After an eligibility check, evaluation and selection results are expected to be communicated to all applicants in June 2025.
Where does the funding come from?
The funds come directly from the funds of the InnoMatch initiative, funded by the European Innovation Council (EIC) and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA).
How does the funding mechanism work?
If selected, the EIC Awardee will celebrate a contract with the InnoMatch initiative to be able to receive up to 60.000 Euro per Subgrantee (EIC Awardee) in a Lump sum grant format (equity-free) against the demonstration of delivered milestones and approval of reports.
What is a pilot?
We call a pilot the co-creation/deployment of a solution between Buyers and EIC beneficiaries.
What is a proof-of-concept?
The text is available in the glossary of the OC Guidelines.
What are the EIC Awardees?
Entities named in an EIC grant agreement (for EIC Pathfinder, EIC Transition) or EIC contract or investment agreement for EIC Accelerator, as well as winners of EIC Prizes.
Eligible applicants
The eligible applicants under this open call must be:
- Single legal entities who are EIC Awardees
- Entities able to facilitate commercial exploitation of the solution, in case the pilot is successful, and to bring the innovation to the market.
Please check our OC Guidelines for more details.
What are the criteria to be evaluated on each proposal?
Alignment & Impact; Excellence; Commitment; and Team & Implementation.
EIC Awardees
What is the value for me in participating as a EIC awardee?
If selected, you will be receiving from InnoMatch: financial support to fund your company on the development of the specific result, in addition to a networking boost and connections to direct customers, enriching your business path and scaling up your business.
Will InnoMatch offer support on finding a buyer for me?
No. EIC Awardees are solely responsible for approaching a public or private buyer institution, showcase their idea for a business innovative solution, and agreeing with this institution on a future collaboration under the scope of this open call.
Are there any industry sector restrictions or requirements?
No. All sectors from both EIC Awardee business and buyer institution are welcome to apply to this call.
How many proposals can I submit?
You can submit a maximum of two proposals with different buyers, but notice you should submit both proposals within one single application form. Only one proposal per EIC Awardee can be funded in the scope of InnoMatch.
Buyers
Types of buyers
This open call accepts applications committed to both public and private buyers. We are seeking to find public or private organisations currently dealing with a specific innovation challenge within their business which require a dedicated and new solution to be deployed by the EIC Awardee.
What are the eligible countries for Buyers institutions for this open call?
There are no country restrictions: Buyers from any country are eligible, including countries outside the European Union Member States.
What is the value for me in participating as a buyer?
You will be offered the possibility to receive a free of cost innovative solution to your ongoing business challenge, generating innovation adoption to your sector and decreasing your procurement risks. You will not receive financial support from InnoMatch. All selected proposals under this open call will involve a strategy for buyers on the adoption of results.
What documents do buyers need to fill in / sign?
The application form will be filled in exclusively by the EIC beneficiary, representing the pair of EIC Awardee + Buyer. An official representative from the buyer is requested to sign a Letter of Commitment (Annex 3) demonstrating the commitment on supporting the EIC Awardee, in the case that they receive an approval from this open call process. If your EIC Awardee pair is selected and approved in this open call, kindly note that InnoMatch will not implement a signed contract with you. InnoMatch will only celebrate a contract with the EIC Awardee.
Expected commitment from buyer
If the proposal is approved, you will be playing a role in an engaged team to contribute to the solution pilot deployment in your company premises. Buyers are asked to have an active supporting role during the solution testing & validation process, following their Letter of Commitment. A Memorandum of Understanding will be signed between the Buyer and the EIC Awardee (check Annex 6).
