The Call for Challengers is closed
And with this approach, a set of questions arises:
- How do you define and describe your challenge to ensure it is properly understood by the innovator?
- How do you find innovative companies with the best expertise and resources to solve your problem?
- How do you monitor and evaluate the innovators’ progress?
- And if you manage to co-develop a good solution, how do you conceptualize and create Terms or Reference for a simplified Innovation Procurement?
How does it work
InnoBuyer programme will fund activities under four different actions. The Challengers selected to take part in the programme will get support from the InnoBuyer consortium to further define their unmet needs and translate them into a challenge (Action 1), that can be launched in a call for innovation suppliers/Solvers.
Once the best Solver for each particular challenge gets selected (Action 2), Challengers and Solvers will co-create and pilot an innovative solution (Action 3). If by the end of the process the solution shows promising results, Challengers will receive support to launch an innovation procurement procedure (Action 4) for the wide adoption of the solution.
Action 1:
Identification and selection of challenges
Identification of the unmet need, and design the challenge specifications to find the best innovation suppliers.
Recruitment of other buyers with a similar need to the one proposed.
Action 2:
Open Market Consultation
Implementation of a market consultation on the proposed challenge, as well as the recruitment and selection of innovative SMEs via open call.
Selection of the best solution or SME.
Action 3:
Pilot co-creation
Co-creation of a solution with the awarded SME.
Testing of the solution in real conditions.
Action 4:
Tender preparation
Legal support to draft the procurement tender for the adoption of the innovative solution, if the co-creation is successful.
Up to €58,500 per Solver
* Tentative dates
What’s in it for you
-
Get grants up to €41.5k
Totally (100%) funded by the European Commission - Demand-driven process based on needs identified within your organisation
- A reduced paperwork process
- Connect with top-notch companies and co-create innovative solutions
- Get legal support to launch a tender and acquire the developed solution
Who can apply?

Public and private organisations, legally established in any of the following countries:
- The Member States of the European Union including their outermost regions
- The Overseas Countries and Territories (OCT) linked to the Member States
- Horizon Europe associated countries
Other eligibility criteria may apply. Please check the Guidelines for Applicants for more information.
Your application kit
If selected, you will also be requested to send the following documents:
Do you have questions?
Check the Frequently Asked Questions section and watch the recordings of the two Webinars below.
