Corporate Corner: EIC Multicorporate Day on ConTech and how European construction corporates work with startups
- ›On 15 June 2023 the EIC hosted a Multicorporate Day on ConTech with Holcim, Ferrovial, Sacyr and SFS and 20 EIC beneficiaries pitching solutions.
- ›Corporate hosts described open innovation strategies that combine internal R and D with external scouting and Venture Client purchasing to de-risk adoption.
- ›Corporates highlighted sector-specific challenges including risk aversion, fragmentation, workforce shortages, materials circularity and stringent technical due diligence.
- ›All four corporates see the EIC as a curated source of startups and SMEs, but warned that pilots and industrial adoption require months of validation and alignment with construction standards.
EIC Multicorporate Day on ConTech: why large construction firms are engaging with startups
On 15 June 2023 the European Innovation Council hosted an online Multicorporate Day focused on construction technology. The event gathered 20 EIC-backed companies that presented innovations aimed at decarbonisation, circularity, automation and productivity in the built environment. Holcim, Ferrovial, Sacyr and SFS co-hosted the session and later spoke to the EIC Community about how they run open innovation, what they look for in startups and what practical barriers remain to scaling new technologies in construction.
Who spoke and what they do
| Corporate | Representative | Role |
| Holcim | Matthieu Horgnies | R and D Specialist and Technology Scouting Manager. Manages Open Innovation at the Holcim Innovation Centre and the Holcim Accelerator. |
| Ferrovial Construction | Luis Amorim | Global Head of Open Innovation. Leads foresight, partnerships and engagement with the startup ecosystem. |
| Sacyr Engineering and Infrastructure | Ana Esteban | Head of Innovation. Focuses on internal communication, opportunity identification and transforming ideas into projects. |
| SFS | Alessandra Tursi | Head of the Innovation Lab for SFS Construction business. Covers hardware, software, IoT and service solutions. |
How these corporates approach open innovation
Each corporate described a layered approach that mixes internal R and D with external scouting and collaboration. They use events and platforms such as the EIC to surface candidates, then apply internal filtering and pilot programs. Across the board there is a pragmatic focus on business fit, testability and the ability to meet construction quality and lifecycle requirements.
Key concepts explained
Why collaborate with the EIC
All four corporates said the EIC platform and its community provide curated access to startups and SMEs that would be harder to find through other channels. They value the EIC for funnel curation, for bringing vetted innovators and for funding that supports startups during early technical validation. The EIC Community platform also offers a searchable directory of funded organisations and helps connect like minded stakeholders.
What corporates look for in startups and potential partnerships
| Corporate | Skills and mindset sought | Types of partnership considered |
| Holcim | Ability to adapt to Holcim business needs and to convert technology into a viable business opportunity | 6 to 12 month contracts, industrial pilots, potential investment after extended technical due diligence |
| Ferrovial Construction | Technical agility, outcome focus, customer centricity | Venture Clienting, design partnering, mentorship, accelerators, possible direct investment |
| Sacyr Engineering and Infrastructure | Solutions oriented on materials, processes and sustainability, collaborative mindset | Validation projects, long term business relationships |
| SFS | Technical expertise, team resilience, willingness to collaborate with a large corporate | Open collaborations across production, supply chain, digital and sales channels |
Concrete outcomes and early leads from the event
Participants reported immediate follow up interest. Holcim said it is in talks with several companies from the session and may consider investments if due diligence supports it. Ferrovial indicated it had three promising leads to explore. Sacyr referenced an earlier successful EIC-derived collaboration that supplied alternative energy sources to industrial plants. SFS found five contacts worth investigating for use cases across production, supply chains and digital teams, though none matched its fastening core this year.
Advice from the corporates to startups
What this tells us about innovation in European construction
The exchanges highlight an active interest among large European construction firms in sourcing startup innovation. The EIC acts as a valuable intermediary that preselects and funds promising startups. At the same time there are structural frictions. Construction remains fragmented, conservative and subject to strict technical and regulatory requirements. Translating pilots into industrial scale adoption is time consuming. Funding from the EIC can help bridge early stages but corporate adoption still requires internal buy in and lengthy validation cycles.
For startups the path to working with these corporates is clear but demanding. They must demonstrate not only technical novelty but product market fit, operational robustness and an ability to integrate with industrial standards. Startups that can provide field validation, measurable outcomes and close engagement with customer teams materially increase their chance of becoming long term partners.
Practical next steps for startups seeking corporate engagement
Apply to curated programmes such as EIC funding and EIC Business Acceleration Services. Use pilot contracts to secure initial validation rather than seeking equity too early. Build relationships with internal champions and be prepared for multi month due diligence that covers durability, lifecycle assessments and regulatory compliance. Finally, present not only the product but also the founding team and implementation plan.
If you want to connect with Europe’s largest corporates consider checking the EIC Business Acceleration Services event calendar and sign up to relevant matchmaking sessions. The EIC community can open doors but converting introductions into scaled industrial deployments requires patience and rigorous testing.
Disclaimer. This article reworks and analyses material from the EIC Community corporate corner and does not represent an official position of the European Commission or any corporate participant.