The InnoMatch project, powered by the EIC Innovation Procurement programme, has issued an Open Call for Private and Public Buyers to present an identified unmet need for which a solution has not yet been found on the market. At the end, five EIC Awardees will be selected to develop and pilot solutions aligning with the buyers' specific innovation needs. For the deployment of each solution each startup will receive up to 60.000 Euro of funding from the EIC, and indirectly the buyers will be able to use the solution for free.

The deadline for the Open Call for Private and Public Buyers is 7 May. Buyers' needs may come from different areas such as sustainable infrastructure, digital transformation, healthcare innovation, smart mobility or energy efficiency and could range from improving waste management systems, enhancing cybersecurity in public services, or developing AI-driven solutions for urban planning, to more specialised needs that require innovative approaches.

The final five selected needs will be polished following a mentorship process, and published as a challenge and promoted by the InnoMatch Consortium to find suitable solutions developed by top-notch innovators (EIC Awardees) - these will be selected in a dedicated open call in January 2026. The deployment of each solution will be funded by the European Innovation Council with up to 60.000 Euro.

InnoMatch is a programme designed to boost innovation across Europe by facilitating access to procurement markets in Europe. It aims to help public and private buyers find innovative, tailored solutions by funding pilot testing. For more information on how to participate in the Open Call, eligibility criteria, and application details, interested organisations can visit the InnoMatch website, or contact the InnoMatch team at opencallbuyers@innomatchproject.eu