EIC Corporate Day with Holcim: Call for EIC Companies to Pitch Decarbonising Building Solutions

Brussels, August 27th 2024

Summary

›The European Innovation Council and Holcim invite EIC-backed companies to apply to a Corporate Day in Lyon on 27-28 November 2024.
›Holcim seeks innovations across four pillars: green operations, building better with less, circular construction, and making buildings sustainable.
›Selected EIC companies receive tailored prep, pitching opportunities and one-to-one meetings with Holcim decision makers, with applications due by 27 September 2024.
›Participants must be EIC awardees, represented by C-level executives, and cover their own travel and accommodation.
›Selection outcomes communicated by 22 October 2024 and the information submitted will be shared with Holcim for participant selection.

EIC Corporate Day with Holcim: Decarbonising Building

The European Innovation Council and Holcim are running a targeted Corporate Day focused on decarbonising the built environment. The event will take place in Lyon, France on 27 and 28 November 2024. EIC-backed start-ups and scale-ups with technologies or business models that can reduce emissions across the construction value chain are encouraged to apply by 27 September 2024.

What Holcim is looking for

Holcim, positioning itself as a global leader in sustainable building solutions, has defined four strategic pillars where it seeks partner innovations. The company is explicitly interested in solutions that materially contribute to decarbonising buildings, including new materials, net-zero technologies, smart design, digitalisation and artificial intelligence applications.

Green operations:Innovations that reduce emissions in manufacturing and the supply chain. Examples listed by Holcim include alternative raw materials and engineered supplementary cementitious materials, alternative fuels for cement kilns, and net-zero technologies such as carbon capture, utilisation and storage, low-carbon hydrogen and electrification.

Building better with less:Approaches that lower embodied carbon through materials and design. Holcim highlights low-carbon concrete and cement, 3D printing and other smart design techniques, and digital systems that improve traceability and optimise material flows.

Circular construction:Technologies and business models that enable reduction reuse and recycling of construction materials. Holcim cites recycling of construction and demolition waste and the adoption of circular platforms as areas of interest.

Making buildings sustainable:Solutions that reduce operational emissions and increase building longevity. Holcim lists energy efficiency technologies, advanced roofing systems, bioactive concrete, long-lasting materials and smart water management.

Artificial Intelligence in construction:Holcim is explicitly seeking AI-driven solutions that support any of the four pillars. This includes AI for material optimisation, predictive maintenance, quality control, design automation and traceability in supply chains.

Programme format and what selected companies receive

The EIC Corporate Partnership Programme provides tailored support before, during and after the onsite activities. Selected companies will participate in preparatory sessions, a dedicated pitching session in Lyon, one-to-one meetings with Holcim decision makers and post-event follow-up. The aim is to maximise the chance of concrete business outcomes such as pilots, procurement opportunities or strategic partnerships.

Preparatory support:Group sessions with Holcim representatives, one-to-one business expert reviews, pitch dry-runs and high-quality feedback on pitch decks and business proposals led by international experts.

Onsite activities:Focused networking, a pitching session on 27-28 November and one-on-one meetings with Holcim high-level decision makers.

Post-event support:Follow-up assistance intended to maximise the impact of proposals submitted during the Corporate Day. The EIC Business Acceleration Services will contact selected applicants after the process concludes.

Who can apply and selection details

The call is open to companies that have received EIC support. Applicants must be EIC awardees to apply through the link provided by the EIC. Holcim will review and select participants based on strategic fit with their business interests and goals. Applicants are asked to specify which topic or pillar they address in their application.

Milestone	Detail	Date
Application deadline	EIC awardees apply through the EIC link	27 September 2024
Selection notification	Applicants informed of outcome	By 22 October 2024
Onsite event	Pitching, networking and one-to-ones in Lyon, France	27-28 November 2024

Practical requirements and rules Applicants must commit to the full programme, including online preparatory sessions, onsite participation in Lyon and follow-up activities. Companies selected must be represented by C-level executives during the onsite sessions. Selected participants are responsible for arranging and financing their travel and accommodation. The EIC warns that information provided in the application form will be shared with Holcim and that Holcim will select participants based on business interests and strategic goals.

Selection feedback and contact:The EIC BAS team will contact selected applicants but will not provide feedback to those not selected. For objections about personal data use or questions regarding the event, applicants are directed to corporates@dealflow.eu.

Logistics, obligations and policies

All participants are expected to complete a satisfaction survey shortly after the event and a business impact survey six months later. Non-completion can lead to exclusion from future EIC Business Acceleration Services. Cancellations will be considered only in duly documented force majeure cases. Unjustified cancellations can result in exclusion from future business opportunities.

About Holcim and the EIC Corporate Partnership Programme

Holcim describes itself as a global leader in innovative and sustainable building solutions. The company reported net sales of CHF 27.0 billion in 2023 and states it employs over 63,000 people. Holcim positions sustainability at the core of its strategy and aims to become a net-zero company with 1.5 degree targets validated by the Science Based Targets initiative.

The EIC Corporate Partnership Programme is part of the EIC Business Acceleration Services which supports EIC-backed companies in scaling through access to corporate partners, procurement opportunities and investors. The EIC says the programme has engaged more than 1,200 EIC-backed start-ups and scale-ups and over 2,500 high-level representatives from large companies to date. The programme tracks deals and follow-up impacts frequently claiming quick conversion of matches into pilots or commercial agreements.

EIC Business Acceleration Services explained:EIC BAS offers tailored coaching, matchmaking with corporates and procurers, investor readiness, market expansion programmes and access to specialised partners. These services are designed to help awardees commercialise innovations beyond grant funding.

Context and caveats for applicants

Corporate days can open valuable doors but do not guarantee commercial contracts or pilots. Selection by a corporate partner does not imply a commitment to procure or scale a solution. Start-ups should be prepared to discuss business models, regulatory readiness, supply chain implications and intellectual property issues. Holcim's emphasis on AI and digital traceability reflects broader industry trends where data and integration with construction processes are decisive for adoption but can increase expectations around data security and standards compliance.

Applicants should also treat corporate claims about sustainability and net-zero pathways with careful scrutiny. Decarbonisation in construction is complex and often depends on scope 3 emissions, changes to upstream suppliers and downstream building lifecycles. Companies proposing CCUS, low-carbon hydrogen or other heavy infrastructure technologies should clearly state deployment readiness, costs and regulatory barriers.

Practical tips for applicants

Practical steps to improve chances of a meaningful match Prepare a concise deck that highlights measurable carbon reductions and key performance indicators. Specify the pillar you are addressing and the stage of development or TRL. Include realistic commercial terms for pilots and expected timelines. Demonstrate fit with Holcim use cases or product lines and provide evidence of prior pilots, references or early customers. Ensure C-level availability for the event and be ready to discuss IP ownership and data sharing in potential pilots.

Be mindful of commercial and data sharing terms when you apply. The application data will be shared with Holcim for selection. If you have privacy concerns contact corporates@dealflow.eu before applying.

How to apply and where to find more information

EIC awardees must apply through the EIC link and submit before 27 September 2024. Successful applicants will be informed by 22 October 2024. For queries about the event or the use of application information contact corporates@dealflow.eu. For broader information on EIC Business Acceleration Services see the EIC Community platform and the EIC BAS pages.