Open Calls
Open Call 1 (wave 1)
Open call for Public and Private Buyers
The InnoMatch Open Call for Public and Private Buyers is an initiative funded by the European Union to empower public and private buyers in solving unmet innovation needs. This programme enables collaboration with top-notch suppliers (EIC Awardees) to address challenges and deploy tailored solutions through a structured innovation procurement process.
Buyers can submit to this call individually or as part of a group with other buyers.
Read the Guidelines for Applicants first.
Deadlines
7 February
Opening
8 May - 17:00 CET
Submission dealine
What we offer
Selected buyers will have access to the following benefits:
- Address, free of charge, a relevant challenge in collaboration with a top-notch supplier. InnoMatch will fund the supplier with up to €60,000 to deploy the solution for you.
- De-risk the innovation procurement, by developing proofs of concepts or pilot testing before the actual procurement - test before invest.
- Learn about demand-driven innovation following a lean approach with limited overhead.
Key benefits for selected buyers include:
Tailored matchmaking opportunities.
Challenge refinement and expert support.
Access to innovation procurement resources.
Solutions tailored to their specific needs.
Expert support to implement the InnoMatch Programme.
Support to maximise impact & growth.
How it works?
Public and private buyers from eligible countries (EU Member States and Horizon Europe-associated countries) can apply individually or in groups.
Unmet needs must align with one of these thematic areas:
- Agriculture, Food & Beverages
- Construction, Infrastructure, Manufacturing
- Digital Transformation and AI
- Energy, Environment, Sustainability
- Health and Life Sciences
InnoMatch Programme
After the selection of the awarded EIC Awardee, both the buyer and the selected company will undergo the InnoMatch “Prepare, Deploy, and Assess” Programme:
Prepare phase
Up to 2 months
Create a detailed Pilot Action Plan with objectives, KPIs, and milestones.
Deploy phase
Up to 6 months
Implement the pilot with regular progress checks and expert guidance.
Assess phase
Up to 4 months
Evaluate the pilot’s impact, scalability, and potential for broader adoption.
Benefits
EIC Awardee
InnoMatch provides funding for innovative companies, and access to early customers and financial support to pilot their solutions, helping them overcome market entry barriers and scale up.
Buyers
InnoMatch enables the committed Buyers to test free of charge cutting-edge solutions tailored to their innovation challenges, fostering efficient innovation adoption and reducing procurement risks.
Who can apply?
Public and private buyers from eligible countries (EU Member States and Horizon Europe-associated countries) can apply individually or in groups.
Unmet needs must align with one of these thematic areas:
- Agriculture, Food & Beverages
- Construction, Infrastructure, Manufacturing
- Digital Transformation and AI
- Energy, Environment, Sustainability
- Health and Life Sciences
Time is ticking!
Thematic areas
This open call is sector agnostic.
EIC Awardees must team up with public or private Buyers, and can apply with a solution to be piloted in any sector. A non-exhaustive list of possible sectors includes:
Agriculture, Food, and Beverage
Construction, Infrastructure, and Manufacturing
Digital Transformation
Energy, Water, Environment, Sustainability, and Mobility
Health and Life Sciences
Security, safety and dual industries
Growth services
Access to technology / premises
Expert support
Trainings
Group coaching
How to apply?
Open Call Evaluation Criteria
1. Commitment:
Evaluation of the management support and readiness to adopt the solution if it proves successful, as well as previous experience within the EIC Innovation Procurement Programme.
2. Impact:
Analyse the long-term improvements offered by the proposed solution and its potential economic, environmental, and social benefits.
3. Alignment:
Assess if the Buyer’s unmet need aligns with the InnoMatch approach and methodology.
4. Innovation:
Evaluation to which extent the unmet need requires an innovative solution that is not currently available in the market.
Documentation
Documents at application stage
Documents in case you are selected
Programme timeline
(indicative)
Grouping of Buyers
June-September 2025
Buyers grouped by thematic areas to refine unmet needs into challenges.
Challenge Identification
October-December 2025
Identify and develop advanced challenge statements for the EIC Awardees.
Publication of Open Call for EIC Awardees
January 2026
Publication of challenges and opening of the open call for innovative solutions.
Solution Selection
May-June 2026
Evaluation and selection of innovative solutions designed to solve buyer challenges.
Pilot Implementation
June 2026 – June 2027
Deploy solutions through the “Prepare, Deploy, and Assess” framework.
FAQ
What is the InnoMatch Open Call for Buyers?
The InnoMatch Open Call invites public and private buyers to submit their unmet innovation needs. Selected buyers will collaborate with innovative SMEs (EIC Awardees) to develop and test tailored solutions through the InnoMatch “Prepare, Deploy, and Assess” Programme.
What are the benefits of participating?
Buyers gain access to innovative solutions tailored to their needs, receive expert mentorship, and de-risk innovation procurement. They also access a robust innovation procurement toolkit and collaboration opportunities.
Who can apply?
Eligible applicants include public and private entities based in EU Member States or Horizon Europe-associated countries.
What are the key dates for the Open Call?
Open Call duration: February 6, 2025 – May 8th, 2025 (17:00 CET)
Eligibility check results: Until the end of May.
Evaluation and selection results: Until the end of June.
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