SPIN4EIC: How the EIC is linking non EU buyers with EIC-backed deep tech start-ups
- ›SPIN4EIC is a flagship initiative of the European Innovation Council that connects EIC-backed start-ups, scale-ups and SMEs with public and private buyers of innovation worldwide.
- ›The programme offers free services to buyers and EIC beneficiaries including matchmaking, increased visibility, pitching events, tailored assistance for tendering and training academies.
- ›Two complementary Horizon Europe actions work with SPIN4EIC: InnoBuyer is a 2 million euro coordination action that pilots co-creation between 15 public challengers and EIC-backed solvers, and InnoMatch funds up to 38 pilots of up to EUR 60,000 each to support proof of concept.
- ›SPIN4EIC runs thematic communities covering five sectors and claims a network of over 6,000 innovative start-ups, but practical barriers remain such as procurement complexity, IP and scaling beyond pilots.
- ›Open calls and assistance windows are time limited. Some buyer assistance is restricted to EU member states and Horizon Europe associated countries while other services are available more broadly.
SPIN4EIC and the EIC Innovation Procurement Programme explained
The European Innovation Council has built SPIN4EIC as its Strategic Innovation Procurement initiative to help EIC-supported start-ups and SMEs find customers through procurement. The initiative acts as an intermediary between supply and demand of innovation across a range of deep tech domains including green transition, health and advanced digital solutions. It targets both buyers inside the EU and buyers located outside the EU and offers a mix of matchmaking services, training and hands on assistance intended to increase the participation of EIC innovators in procurement markets.
What SPIN4EIC offers buyers and suppliers
SPIN4EIC presents itself as a free gateway for procurers to access a curated pool of EIC-backed innovators. For buyers the service promises increased visibility for procurement notices across a network of more than 6,000 start-ups, tailored matchmaking to identify suitable EIC innovators, and the option to host matchmaking or pitching events targeted to their needs. For EIC beneficiaries the programme offers training, hands on assistance to prepare and submit tenders, pilot opportunities and visibility to procurement customers.
| Target user | Main offers | Notes |
| Buyers within or outside the EU | Visibility of procurement notices, tailored matchmaking, option to organise pitching events | General matchmaking open to public and private buyers. Specific assistance for public buyers is available for EU member states and Horizon associated countries. |
| EIC beneficiaries | Free assistance to identify and bid for procurement tenders, training academies, pilot opportunities | Assistance to submit public and private tenders. Ongoing call open to EIC beneficiaries until August 2026. |
Core activities and tools
Activities range from targeted pitching sessions to structured support projects financed under Horizon Europe. SPIN4EIC runs a community platform split into thematic groups, offers an EIC Innovation Procurement Toolkit, organises two online Innovation Procurement Academies per year and maintains open calls and hands on assistance schemes for both suppliers and public buyers.
InnoBuyer and InnoMatch explained
Two separate Horizon Europe funded actions have been launched to operationalise demand driven procurement pilots alongside SPIN4EIC. They are complementary. One tests a co creation approach between public buyers and EIC suppliers. The other funds proof of concept pilots to bridge early stage solutions to first customers.
| Programme | Budget and timeline | Core activity | Partners |
| InnoBuyer | EUR 2 million, coordination action, implemented to December 2025 | Recruit and co create with 15 public Challengers, validate a demand driven procurement methodology | F6S, Civitta, TICBioMed |
| InnoMatch | Up to 38 pilots, up to EUR 60,000 per pilot, running until September 2027 | Open calls to match Buyers and EIC beneficiaries and fund pilot demonstrations | F6S, TICBioMed, ICLEI, Civitta |
Practical steps for buyers and suppliers
Buyers who want to engage can contact the SPIN4EIC team to arrange an introductory call. The team will assess needs and propose next steps which can include increased dissemination of procurement notices, tailored matchmaking or organising a pitching event. EIC beneficiaries seeking assistance can apply to ongoing open calls for tailored procurement help. Both buyers and suppliers are encouraged to join the SPIN4EIC Community and subscribe to the newsletter to receive updates on calls and events.
Limitations and caveats to bear in mind
SPIN4EIC packages a useful set of services but does not remove the structural challenges of procurement. Public procurement rules remain complex and often slow. Intellectual property and contracting terms require careful handling when solutions are co created or piloted. Funding for pilots does not guarantee uptake at scale. Some support lines are geographically limited and many services require registration and evaluation which means not every applicant will receive tailored assistance. Finally, claims of access to 'Europe s most innovative start ups' should be read as a description of a curated EIC pool rather than an automatic commercial channel.
Evidence and early outcomes
SPIN4EIC has run pitching sessions including events at the EIC Summit where EIC awardees pitched to members of the World Economic Forum First Movers Coalition and large corporate and industrial buyers. The initiative publishes an impact report that covers its first year. That SPIN4EIC Impact Report was released on 6 June 2025 and outlines activities, beneficiaries and early lessons learned.
How to join or find more information
Buyers and suppliers interested in working with SPIN4EIC should register on the EIC Community platform and contact the SPIN4EIC helpdesk. The service recommends choosing the program category when filling the helpdesk request. Organisations can also subscribe to the SPIN4EIC newsletter to receive timely updates on open calls, academies, and pitching opportunities.