EIC brings Ferrovial, Acciona, ACS, Sacyr and Vinci face to face with 18 deep tech startups at Multi‑Corporate Day
- ›On 4–5 June the European Innovation Council ran a Multi‑Corporate Day at South Summit in Madrid linking five construction leaders with 18 EIC‑backed startups.
- ›Startups pitched technologies across construction tech, low carbon materials, AI for infrastructure, sensing and environmental monitoring, followed by tailored one to one meetings to explore pilots, co‑development and investment.
- ›The activity formed part of the EIC Business Acceleration Services and the Corporate Partnership Programme that aims to accelerate deals between deep tech scaleups and large European corporates.
- ›EIC offers training, coaching and post‑activity support though outcomes will depend on follow up, procurement readiness and realistic integration timelines.
EIC Multi‑Corporate Day links major construction groups with 18 EIC‑backed innovators
On 4 and 5 June 2025 the European Innovation Council organised an EIC Multi‑Corporate Day bringing together five of Europe’s construction and infrastructure leaders Ferrovial, Acciona, ACS, Sacyr and Vinci with 18 EIC‑backed start‑ups from ten countries. The activity took place in Madrid during South Summit 2025 and formed part of the EIC Business Acceleration Services. It combined in‑person pitching sessions with bespoke one to one meetings intended to accelerate pilots, co‑development and commercial agreements.
Event format and immediate goals
The selected companies were chosen by the participating corporations, and the EIC provided training and coaching to align each start‑up’s pitch with corporate innovation priorities. Startups presented during curated pitching sessions, then attended tailored one to one meetings with corporate decision makers to discuss concrete business outcomes ranging from pilots to procurement and investment. The EIC describes this activity as an acceleration instrument that bridges EIC awardees and leading corporates to stimulate collaborations such as co‑development partnerships and pilot programmes.
Who participated and what technologies were shown
EIC‑backed startups showcased solutions across construction technology, sustainable materials, AI for infrastructure management, advanced sensing and environmental monitoring. The group included deep tech firms working on everything from quantum AI software to mobile on‑site pipe manufacturing. Below is a structured list of the 18 participants and their stated focus.
| Startup | Country | Solution described at the event |
| ALTAROAD | France | AI‑driven waste traceability and management solutions for construction sites |
| AXELERA AI | Netherlands | High‑performance, energy‑efficient AI computing at the edge for infrastructure |
| COLD PAD | France | Durable composite bonding and fastening solutions intended to replace traditional welding |
| FARADAIC SENSORS | Germany | Miniaturised electrochemical gas sensors for IoT applications in construction |
| HYDRO VOLTA | Belgium | Smart water and carbon capture solutions for sustainable construction |
| HYPERION ROBOTICS | Finland | Low‑carbon 3D printing and robotics for construction applications |
| IRIS AI | Norway | Multimodal AI solutions for construction project management and compliance |
| MAGMENT | Germany | Magnetisable concrete solutions for high‑efficiency power transmission |
| MATERRUP | France | Low‑carbon cement made from cold‑activated clay waste materials |
| MULTIVERSE COMPUTING | Spain | Quantum AI software solutions for enhanced computational efficiency |
| MYSPHERA | Spain | IoT and AI technologies for healthcare infrastructure digitalisation |
| ORCHESTRA SCIENTIFIC | Spain | Modular CO₂ capture technology for industrial applications |
| PIPES.ONE | Ukraine | Mobile on‑site polymer pipe manufacturing solutions |
| SAALG GEOMECHANICS | Spain | Digital platform for geotechnical engineering and ground data analysis |
| SIMLAB | Poland | 3D digital twin technology for facility and construction management |
| SPOTLITE | Portugal | AI‑driven satellite analytics for infrastructure risk monitoring |
| TWINSITY | Germany | AI‑powered infrastructure inspection using digital twins and drone imagery |
| WIDMO SPECTRAL TECHNOLOGIES | Poland | High‑precision subsurface tomography using spectral ground‑penetrating radar |
Selected technology notes and practical implications
Voices from participants
Organisers and participants framed the day as both inspirational and practical. Miguel José Segarra, Senior VP of Innovation at Dragados, ACS said the activity "perfectly reflected what ACS stands for in terms of innovation" and praised the selection of "the most disruptive start‑ups in the construction and infrastructure sector."
Startups called out the value of dedicated access to corporate decision makers. Greg Wabik, Business Development Associate at WIDMO Spectral Technologies said participating was "a great opportunity" as his firm was starting commercialisation of its Widmo Cities product and that it is difficult for startups to find the right people inside large firms who can act on innovation. Stefka Mihailova, Senior Sales Consultant at IRIS AI praised the EIC training and support, noting it "ensures high visibility for the participating start‑ups."
Post‑event support and realistic expectations
Beyond the event, the initiative includes post‑activity support for startups and corporate partners intended to maximise the impact of business proposals. The stated outcomes targeted by the EIC include pilots, co‑development partnerships and strategic investments. That said, turning introductions into pilots and revenue typically requires legal, procurement and technical due diligence and alignment with corporate procurement cycles which can take many months or longer.
The Corporate Partnership Programme in context
The EIC Corporate Partnership Programme is a channel inside the EIC Business Acceleration Services intended to scale relationships between EIC‑backed innovators and large corporates. According to the EIC, since 2017 the Corporate Partnership Programme has run 74 initiatives with more than 120 corporate partners and enabled participation by over 1,200 EIC‑funded start‑ups and scaleups alongside more than 2,500 corporate high level representatives. The EIC says participants have reported significant business impacts, follow ups and deals as a result of these curated activities.
Why this matters for European infrastructure innovation
European construction and infrastructure faces twin pressures to decarbonise and to accelerate delivery while managing cost inflation and supply constraints. Events that systematically connect proven innovation with buyers can shorten the time it takes for technologies to reach pilots and projects. The EIC's role as a convenor, coach and matchmaker helps shift risk forward towards demonstration and early commercialisation.
However, a note of caution is warranted. Announcements of matchmaking days and high‑level meetings are an early step. The hard work remains afterwards. Corporates must adapt procurement and trial processes and startups must demonstrate technical robustness, regulatory compliance and delivery capacity to win large infrastructure contracts.
How to follow up or take part
Startups that wish to be considered for EIC corporate activities normally need an EIC award or recognition and must be visible in the EIC portfolio. Corporates interested in joining the Corporate Partnership Programme can apply via the EIC channels. The EIC also keeps contact lists and distributes a Business Acceleration Services newsletter with open calls and upcoming partnership opportunities.
The EIC Multi‑Corporate Day on 4–5 June is one iteration of a longer programme of curated corporate engagement under the EIC Business Acceleration Services. The reported near term impacts will be clearer after pilot contracts are signed and early projects reach demonstrable milestones.
Contacts and further information
More information about the EIC Corporate Partnership Programme and how to apply is available through the EIC Business Acceleration Services and the EIC Community platform. The EIC publishes calls for corporate partners and details of future Corporate Days for organisations interested in joining the initiative.