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News article9 August 2023

Survey launched on driving innovative public procurement together with Start-ups and SMEs

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Introduction 

Public procurement can act as leverage for start-ups and SMEs and start-ups and SMEs as leverage for a better world. As standard bearers of innovation, start-ups and SMEs and especially the most entrepreneurial and imaginative among them – can bring significant innovation into the public sector. EU public procurement rules have enabled public buyers to design procedures suited not just large companies but also to smaller innovative suppliers and start-ups. Accounting for over 14% of gross domestic product (GDP), EU public procurement is a huge market for innovative products and services, but its potential is underused. Through The New European Innovation Agenda (europa.eu), the Commission committed to support the creation of living labs and incubators, for example, to connect innovators and public administrators and support innovative solutions to public needs. The Commission explored and interviewed few public procurement Living Labs, incubators and innovation brokering programmes in the EU. The Commission aims to contract a facilitator that will connect and support the work in 2024.

Objective of this Survey

Recently the Commission (DG GROW C2 Public Procurement) published two brochures: Public procurement of innovation: How do start-ups fit in and Scale up with the public sector: a brochure for start-ups. The objective of this survey is to consult relevant stakeholders on the need to be supported in opening up public procurement practices to innovative solutions of SMEs and start-ups. Through this survey we would like to learn where contracting authorities and the suppliers of those solutions would need assistance and support at EEA-level to improve on this topic.

Why do I need to fill in this survey and what is the Commission going to do with my input? 

By sharing your insights with us you will contribute to a successful set up of an exchange and support programme at European level. Your answers will be will be only used for this purpose. Thank you for taking time to answer the questions and help us shape this action to contribute to an innovative, prosperous, and sustainable future for all.

Go to the Survey