AMALTEA 1st Open Call - Call for SMEs & Start-ups: Innovative Solutions for Sustainable Construction

The AMALTEA project is offering its 1st Open Call focused on supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and start-ups to develop innovative solutions for sustainable construction, particularly in facade technology. This initiative is backed by the European Union's Horizon Europe program, with a total funding amount of €1,500,000 available for selected projects. The call opens on September 1, 2025, and the submission deadline is November 7, 2025, at 17:00 Brussels time.

Eligible participants include individual SMEs and start-ups legally operating in EU Member States or Horizon Europe Associated Countries. Non-profit legal entities are also eligible and can receive funding coverage of up to 100% of eligible costs, unlike SMEs which can receive up to 70%. The funding limits are set at €100,000 for software solutions and €200,000 for hardware solutions.

The application process follows a single-stage model, where a structured online submission is required. Selected projects will undergo a five-step evaluation process consisting of initial eligibility checks, alignment assessments, independent evaluations, committee reviews, and final presentations to a jury team for funding decisions.

The program particularly targets innovations in areas like digital twin integration, AI-driven design tools, robotics, and data-driven technologies within the construction sector. The expected project stages include development, validation, and demonstration, typically to be conducted in large-scale pilot environments across Europe. Successful projects will participate in a support program lasting between 9 to 12 months, which includes technical mentoring, access to digital platforms, and integration testing.

This initiative aligns with the EU’s Green Deal objectives, aiming to modernize the building facade sector by reducing energy use, waste, and emissions while promoting innovation and competitiveness in the construction industry. Through this open call, AMALTEA seeks to foster high-impact technological solutions that contribute to a sustainable and digital transformation in construction practices across Europe.

The AMALTEA project is launching its 1st Open Call for SMEs and Start-ups, seeking innovative solutions for sustainable construction, specifically targeting advancements in facade technology. This initiative aims to modernize the building facade sector by supporting projects that align with AMALTEA’s mission. The AMALTEA project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under Grant Agreement No. 101189678.

The opening date for the call is September 1, 2025, and the deadline for submissions is November 7, 2025, at 17:00 Brussels time. The call follows a single-stage submission model.

The total funding available for this call is 1,500,000.00 €.

The project acronym is AMALTEA, and its full name is Advancing Green Deal Principles in sMart FacAde TechnoLogies for the construcTion sEctor based on AI, Data & Robotics. The grant agreement number is 101189678. The topic is HORIZON-CL4-2024-DIGITAL-EMERGING-01-04 - Industrial leadership in AI, Data and Robotics boosting competitiveness and the green transition (AI Data and Robotics Partnership) (IA).

The expected duration of participation varies depending on the funding instrument:

For Software Solutions for facade Applications (1st Funding Instrument): 9 months. The stages include:
Stage 1: Individual Mentoring Plan & Proof of Concept
Stage 2: Software Solution Development
Stage 3: Software Solution testing & validation

For Hardware Solutions for facade Applications (2nd Funding Instrument): 12 months. The stages include:
Stage 1: Individual Mentoring Plan & Prototype
Stage 2: Hardware Solution Development
Stage 3: Hardware Solution testing & validation

Applicants can submit proposals through the website: https://hub.getonepass.eu/opportunities/c/amaltea-1st-open-call-for-cutting-edge-solutions-for-facades-in-construction

The selection process involves five steps:
Step one: An initial check to verify basic eligibility requirements.
Step two: The AMALTEA Selection Committee assesses alignment with the project’s scope and European dimension (Yes/No approach).
Step three: Independent evaluators assess proposals based on defined evaluation criteria.
Step four: The Selection Committee reviews evaluation results and selects participants for the Jury Day, considering ranking and strategic alignment.
Step five: Shortlisted applicants pitch their projects to the AMALTEA Jury. Final decisions are based on impact, team quality, and alignment with AMALTEA goals.

Selected beneficiaries will undergo a final eligibility check and sign the Sub-grant Agreement before joining the programme.

Further information about the AMALTEA project can be found at https://amaltea-project.eu/. For specific inquiries, contact helpdesk.amaltea@fundingbox.com.

AMALTEA supports the EU Green Deal by transforming the curtain-wall facade value chain using advanced robotics, artificial intelligence (AI), and data-driven technologies. It aims to reduce energy use, material waste, and emissions in the construction sector.

Through two Open Calls, AMALTEA will select up to 25 projects focused on high-impact software or hardware solutions for facade design, production, installation, and recycling. These solutions will be developed and validated in real-world industrial and construction environments, including four large-scale pilot sites across Europe.

The 1st Open Call will fund up to 10 top-ranked projects. Selected projects will enter a support programme lasting 9 to 12 months, with software projects receiving 9 months of support and hardware projects receiving 12 months. The programme includes technical mentoring, integration with digital platforms, testing in full-scale pilot environments, and business development support.

Funding can reach up to 100,000 € for software solutions and up to 200,000 € for hardware solutions, provided as a fixed lump sum. This covers up to 70% of eligible costs for SMEs and start-ups. Non-profit legal entities may receive up to 100% of their eligible costs, within the same financial limits.

Beneficiaries will collaborate with AMALTEA’s technical partners to refine, integrate, and test their solutions, addressing challenges like digital twin integration, AI-driven design tools, robotic quality control systems, and advanced sensor-based navigation for on-site operations. Solutions must demonstrate a strong European dimension and contribute to EU sustainability and digitalization goals.

Participation is open to individual SMEs (including start-ups) legally established in EU Member States or Horizon Europe Associated Countries. Proposals must be technically and conceptually compatible with AMALTEA’s Digital Tools and infrastructure, with clear potential for scalability and measurable environmental and social impact.

In summary, the AMALTEA 1st Open Call is a funding opportunity for SMEs and start-ups to develop innovative software and hardware solutions for the construction sector, specifically focusing on facade technology. The project aims to advance the EU Green Deal by promoting sustainable and digital solutions that reduce energy consumption, waste, and emissions. Successful applicants will receive funding, technical mentoring, and access to testing environments to refine and validate their solutions. The call is looking for projects that can integrate with AMALTEA's existing digital infrastructure and demonstrate a clear potential for scalability and positive environmental and social impact. The focus areas include AI, Robotics and Data.

Eligible Applicant Types: The eligible applicant types are SMEs (including start-ups) and non-profit legal entities. Individual SMEs and start-ups must be legally established in EU Member States or Horizon Europe Associated Countries.

Funding Type: The funding type is a grant, specifically cascade funding provided as a fixed lump sum.

Consortium Requirement: The opportunity is open to single applicants. Participation is open to individual SMEs (including start-ups).

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The geographic eligibility includes EU Member States and Horizon Europe Associated Countries.

Target Sector: The target sector is construction, specifically focusing on the curtain-wall facade value chain. The program targets technologies related to advanced robotics, artificial intelligence (AI), data-driven technologies, digital twin integration, AI-driven design tools, robotic quality control systems, and advanced sensor-based navigation for on-site operations. Thematic areas include energy, environment, climate, and digitalization.

Mentioned Countries: No specific countries are mentioned, but the eligibility extends to EU Member States and Horizon Europe Associated Countries. Therefore, the region is EU and Horizon Europe Associated Countries.

Project Stage: The project stage is development, validation, and demonstration. The selected projects will develop and validate their solutions within real-world industrial and construction environments, including large-scale pilot sites. The projects are expected to have a proof of concept or prototype stage.

Funding Amount: The funding amount is up to €100,000 for software solutions and up to €200,000 for hardware solutions. The total funding available for the open call is €1,500,000. Funding covers up to 70% of eligible costs for SMEs and start-ups, and up to 100% of eligible costs for non-profit legal entities.

Application Type: The application type is an open call.

Nature of Support: Beneficiaries will receive both money and non-monetary services. They will receive funding in the form of a grant, as well as technical mentoring, integration with digital platforms, testing in full-scale pilot environments, and dedicated business development support.

Application Stages: The application process involves a five-step process:
Step one: An initial check will verify whether the applications meet the basic eligibility requirements.
Step two: The AMALTEA Selection Committee will assess whether the proposal aligns with the project’s scope and European dimension, using a Yes/No approach.
Step three: Independent evaluators will assess the proposals based on the defined evaluation criteria.
Step four: The Selection Committee will review the evaluation results and select participants for the Jury Day, considering both ranking and strategic alignment with AMALTEA.
Step five: Shortlisted applicants will pitch their projects to the AMALTEA Jury. Final funding decisions will be made based on impact, team quality, and alignment with AMALTEA goals.

Success Rates: The success rate can be estimated based on the information that the 1st Open Call will fund up to 10 top-ranked projects, and AMALTEA will select up to 25 projects through two Open Calls. Without knowing the number of applications, it is not possible to give a precise success rate, but it is likely to be below 10% or within the 10 to 39% range.

Co-funding Requirement: Co-funding is required for SMEs and start-ups, as the funding covers up to 70% of eligible costs. Non-profit legal entities may be funded up to 100% of their eligible costs.

Summary:

The AMALTEA 1st Open Call is a funding opportunity under the Horizon Europe program, aimed at supporting SMEs and start-ups in developing innovative software and hardware solutions for the construction sector, specifically focusing on modernizing the curtain-wall facade value chain. The project supports the EU Green Deal by promoting technologies that reduce energy use, material waste, and emissions. The call is open to SMEs and start-ups legally established in EU Member States or Horizon Europe Associated Countries. Successful applicants will receive funding of up to €100,000 for software solutions and up to €200,000 for hardware solutions, provided as a fixed lump sum. SMEs and start-ups will receive up to 70% of eligible costs, while non-profit legal entities may receive up to 100%. In addition to funding, selected projects will participate in a 9- to 12-month support program that includes technical mentoring, integration with digital platforms, testing in pilot environments, and business development support. The application process involves five stages, including eligibility checks, alignment assessment, independent evaluation, selection for a Jury Day, and a final pitch to the AMALTEA Jury. The innovations should address challenges such as digital twin integration, AI-driven design tools, robotic quality control systems, and advanced sensor-based navigation for on-site operations, contributing to the EU’s sustainability and digitalization goals. The total funding available for this call is €1,500,000. The opening date for the call is September 1, 2025, and the deadline is November 7, 2025, at 17:00 Brussels time.