InnoBuyer invites EIC-supported SMEs to nominate large organisations for 10-month pilot co-creation
- ›InnoBuyer, an EC-funded project, has launched an open call for Challengers to identify large organisations with unmet innovation needs.
- ›EIC-supported companies are asked to complete a short survey to name organisations they would like to co-create pilots with.
- ›Selected pairings will co-develop solutions over about 10 months and can receive grants of up to €58,500.
- ›The initiative aims to connect big public and private organisations with SMEs but the funding and scale of support are limited and outcomes are not guaranteed.
InnoBuyer invites EIC-supported companies to help identify large partners for pilot co-creation
InnoBuyer, a project financed by the European Commission, has opened a call to identify large organisations that could act as 'Challengers' in a co-creation programme. The initiative matches big public and private organisations with innovation suppliers. The project emphasizes fast pilot development of roughly 10 months and offers grants of up to €58,500 to support joint work between the two sides.
What InnoBuyer is offering and why it matters
The scheme is presented as a broker that brings established organisations with unmet innovation needs together with smaller suppliers, notably EIC-supported SMEs, to co-create solutions. For innovative companies the immediate proposition is simple. By taking a few minutes to complete a short survey, they can propose specific organisations they would like to work with and help signal demand to the project. Organisers say this step increases the chance that target organisations will be approached and onboarded for pilot partnerships.
| Feature | What InnoBuyer provides | Practical note |
| Duration | About 10 months per pilot | Relatively short development cycle |
| Maximum grant | €58,500 | Modest relative to many pilots and scaling costs |
| Eligible roles | Challengers (large orgs) and Solvers (innovation suppliers, including EIC SMEs) | Survey request targets EIC-supported companies |
| Primary aim | Rapid co-creation of solutions addressing specific unmet needs | Focus on proof of concept and demonstration |
| Contact | info@innobuyer.eu | Project website: innobuyer.eu |
Who should respond and what to expect
EIC-supported SMEs and other innovation suppliers should consider responding if they have a clear proposal or use case and a named organisation they want to work with. The survey is a low-effort way to signal interest and to try to influence which large organisations get invited to join the programme. However interested firms should be realistic about the likely scope of the pilots and the administrative steps required to move from a survey response to an active co-creation project.
Context within the EU innovation ecosystem
The InnoBuyer approach fits within broader European Commission efforts to stimulate public private collaboration and to help SMEs access large buyers. The European Innovation Council works to accelerate promising startups and scaleups through funding and networking. Brokered co-creation programmes are one of several mechanisms used across EU programmes to bridge technology suppliers and users. Such initiatives can speed validation but they are not a substitute for procurement or deeper commercial partnerships.
Next steps and contact information
If you are an innovative company supported by the EIC and you want to help shape which large organisations are approached, complete the brief InnoBuyer survey. The exercise is quick and could increase the chances that an organisation you want to work with will be invited to join the programme. For questions contact info@innobuyer.eu and consult the project website at innobuyer.eu for full details. Keep expectations calibrated. A survey response does not guarantee a pilot or funding, but it is a low cost way to express interest and potentially open doors.
Further reading and related resources
For context on EU initiatives that support SME innovation and public private collaboration see European Innovation Council resources and the European Commission pages on innovation funding. Public procurement for innovation and business acceleration services are adjacent areas to watch when assessing opportunities to scale pilots into commercial contracts.