SPIN4EIC Pitching Session at Big Buyers Annual Event: Innovate and Connect

Innovation took centre stage on April 24, 2024, as the Big Buyers Working Together (BBWT) project joined forces with the SPIN4EIC Programme, powered by EIC Business Acceleration Services, to host a pitching session. Members of the BBWT Communities of Practice (CoPs) presented their challenges and European Innovation Council (EIC) beneficiaries from across Europe gathered to showcase their innovative digital solutions to an audience of prominent public buyers.

The collaboration between the SPIN4EIC Programme and Big Buyers Working Together Initiative proved instrumental in facilitating this event. With a shared goal of promoting innovative and sustainable procurement practices, the stage was set for insightful exchanges between EIC beneficiaries and public buyers. 

The Big Buyers Annual Event offered a platform for networking and exploration, with representatives from cities such as Lisbon, Gothenburg and Haarlem in attendance. Participants took the opportunity to exchange ideas, forge connections, and explore potential collaborations that could transform public services across Europe.

This pitching session was a prime opportunity for BBWT’s ambitious public authorities to delve deeper into innovations that could address the specific challenges they have, and it provided food for thought as the CoPs convened to discuss their future activities. It demonstrated the crucial role innovation has to play for the communities and highlighted that pitching events are accessible ways to identify innovations relevant for public sector challenges.

During the SPIN4EIC Pitching Session EIC Innovators took the stage to present their digital solutions. From optimising public services to enhancing resource and data utilisation, each pitch showcased the transformative potential of digital innovation in the public sector.  

The groundbreaking solutions showcased included: 

• .lumen: An AI-powered innovation fostering independence for the visually impaired. 
• Inspech: Providing cutting-edge tools for road inspection and asset management planning. 
• Is Clean Air: Offering advanced solutions to purify pollutants from the environment. 
• Omniflow: Introducing sustainable smart lampposts driven by wind and solar energy. 
• Sarus Technologies: Pioneering privacy-centric data management systems. 

For all attendees, the session represented more than just a chance to highlight their needs and showcase their innovations. It was an opportunity to connect with potential collaborators, both buyers and suppliers. Whether revolutionising healthcare, mobility, or public infrastructure, these digital innovations have the power to shape the future of public services in Europe. The connections forged and insights gained during the session will continue to drive collaboration and innovation in the realm of public procurement.

The BBWT project offers public buyers across Europe opportunities to participate in similar pitching sessions, hackathons, and study visits, empowering them to make more informed decisions, leverage shared expertise, and achieve greater impact of their procurement activities. 

For inquiries about upcoming events or partnership opportunities, don't hesitate to reach out to SPIN4EIC’s Helpdesk. SPIN4EIC is committed to supporting EIC innovators on their journey as well as supporting public administrations across Europe to launch their procurement challenges!