EIC Corporate Partnership Programme 4.0

This tender (EISMEA/2026/OP/0026) requests a contractor to deliver the EIC Corporate Partnership Programme 4.0 to connect deep-tech startups and scaleups with leading corporations and to establish and manage the European Corporate Network. The estimated contract value is €4,800,000 over 36 months and the services include upgrading Corporate and Multi-Corporate Days, providing expert support to develop PoCs and pilots, running fora and working groups, and positioning the EIC as a centre of excellence for corporate-startup collaboration. Submission is electronic via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal by 12 August 2026 at 10:00 CEST and the award criteria are quality 70% and price 30%.

What it funds

Purpose

Service contract to scale and manage corporate-startup collaboration activities:upgrade EIC Multi-Corporate Days, provide expert support for PoCs and pilots between large corporates and deep-tech start-ups/scaleups (priority to EIC-backed SMEs), and establish and manage a European Corporate Network to share best practices and run fora/working groups.

Estimated contract value:Approximately €4,800,000 for the full contract period.

Duration:Planned period up to 36 months.

Who can apply

This is an open tender published by the European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA). Eligible applicants are economic operators (companies, consultancies, consortia or other legal entities) able to deliver the described services and meet the procurement selection criteria; SMEs suitability is marked as not required.

Key administrative facts

1. 1Call identifier: EISMEA/2026/OP/0026
2. 2Submission method: electronic via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal (esubmission) ¹
3. 3Main deadline (closing date): 12 August 2026, 10:00:59 Brussels time
4. 4Call published: 17 June 2026
5. 5Planned contract type: services; awarding criteria: quality 70% / price 30%

Tender documents (specifications, draft contract, financial and technical annexes) are available on the official portal; see the call page for Annexes and submission instructions ¹.

Footnotes

1. 1Tender details and document downloads: EU Funding & Tenders Portal — EIC CPP 4.0.

Purpose and Objectives

General objective

This public procurement (Call Identifier EISMEA/2026/OP/0026) commissions a service contract to follow up and scale the European Innovation Council (EIC) work with large corporations and to support the creation and operation of a European Corporate Network as announced in the Startups and Scaleups Strategy. The overarching objective is to increase the industrial uptake of deep tech innovations across Europe by facilitating collaboration between large corporations and deep tech startups, scaleups and SMEs, with specific emphasis on EIC-backed companies.

Specific objectives:Develop and upgrade EIC Multi-Corporate and Corporate Days activities; provide dedicated expert assistance to EIC Awardees and committed large corporations to develop PoCs, pilots and other activities scalable into impact-driven businesses; set up and manage the European Corporate Network (ECN) including fora and working groups to share corporate venturing best practices; and position the EIC as a centre of excellence for corporate-startup collaboration.

Key Facts and Administrative Data

Procuring authority:European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA) acting for the EIC. Procurement nature: services (direct service contract). Main CPV: 79000000 (other professional, scientific and technical activities). Planned duration of contract execution: 36 months. Estimated total procedure value (requested tender total): €4,800,000. Submission method: mandatory electronic submission through the Funding & Tenders Portal (eSubmission).

Deadlines and key dates:Publication date of tender documents: 17 June 2026. Deadline for submission / closing date: 12 August 2026 at 10:00:59 CEST (open tender event recorded 12 August 2026 at 15:00). An additional earlier deadline value appears in metadata (2026-01-01), but the definitive closing date for eSubmission and the call is 12 August 2026. Request for additional information period ends 4 August 2026. Tender validity period: 9 months.

Who Can Apply and Eligibility

Eligible applicants:legal persons and consortia capable of delivering the full range of services described in the tender specifications. The procurement documentation explicitly provides for bidders to rely on the capacities of other entities and to include identified subcontractors and entities on whose capacities they rely (commitment letters templates are provided). While the call is a single lot (LOT-0001), consortium bids and proposed subcontractors are foreseen via the provided annex templates. The tender is published by an EU agency and is therefore open to economic operators established in eligible jurisdictions as defined by the Funding & Tenders Portal and the tender documents; primary expectation is EU-based operators and organisations, including private companies, consultancy firms, non-profit organisations, research organisations and intermediaries working in corporate venturing and innovation brokerage.

Eligible applicant types (detailed):Startups and scaleups are target beneficiaries of the programme, but the contracting parties bidding for this tender will typically be: large enterprises (as consortia members or subcontractors where applicable), SMEs (innovation consultants, intermediary organisations), research institutes and universities (for evaluation, methodology and knowledge components), non-profit organisations and NGOs (ecosystem and community management), professional services firms (event management, legal, IP and commercialisation support), and specialised innovation brokers or venture-building organisations. Public bodies may participate where law and the tender rules permit. Individuals are not direct contractors but can be proposed as experts.

Funding and Contract Details

This is a procurement tender for a funded service contract:the awarded contractor(s) will be paid by EISMEA under the terms of the draft contract and its annexes. The contract type is a direct service contract with draft contract and annexes provided in the tender documentation. The contract may include provisions for change orders, security requirements, and other standard EU contract clauses.

Funding type and financial scale:Primary financial mechanism: procurement / service contract (the Commission/EISMEA will pay the contractor for delivered services). Estimated overall contract amount: €4,800,000 (EUR). The provided financial offer form (Annex 6) and draft contract define payment schedules and work packages ¹.

Scope of Work and Technical Requirements

Core tasks to be delivered by the contractor include developing and upgrading EIC Multi-Corporate Days (events and multi-corporate engagement formats), providing expert hands-on assistance enabling PoCs and pilots between large corporates and EIC-backed startups/scaleups, establishing and managing the European Corporate Network with fora and working groups to capture and disseminate best practices in corporate venturing, and supporting EIC positioning as a centre of excellence for corporate-startup collaboration. The tender specifications and Annex 7 (technical tender form) list detailed technical capacity, staffing, work packages and deliverables expected.

1. 1Develop and run Multi-Corporate Days and associated activities across Europe and possibly internationally, including stakeholder matchmaking and curated engagement with EIC awardees.
2. 2Provide tailored expert support for EIC awardees and selected corporates to design and implement Proofs of Concept, pilots and scalable business pathways (commercialisation support, deployment planning, legal/IP advice and technical integration guidance).
3. 3Establish and manage the European Corporate Network (ECN): design fora, working groups, knowledge-base, regular reporting on best practices and facilitating learning across corporates and startups.
4. 4Design monitoring, evaluation and reporting frameworks to measure impact, uptake and scale of corporate-startup collaborations facilitated through the programme.
5. 5Position and brand the EIC as a centre of excellence for corporate-startup collaboration through communications, events, case studies and knowledge products.

Target Sectors, Project Stage and Beneficiaries

Target sectors:deep tech and innovation across multiple industries where EIC-supported innovations operate. While not restrictive to specific industries, emphasis is on technology-intensive areas (artificial intelligence, cleantech, advanced materials, industrial digitalisation, biotech/medtech where applicable, semiconductors, advanced manufacturing and other DeepTech verticals). The activities are sector-agnostic but tailored to enable industrial uptake by large corporations.

Expected project stage of supported beneficiaries:The programme primarily supports startups and scaleups at the demonstration, validation, pilot and early commercialisation stages by helping translate PoCs and pilots into scalable, impactful business deployments with corporate partners.

Geographic and Legal Eligibility

Geographic scope:primarily EU/EFTA/EEA legal frameworks as per standard EU procurement and Funding & Tenders Portal rules; the procuring authority is EISMEA (EU agency) and the call targets economic operators able to operate across the EU. The tender documents are in English and require bidders to follow EU procurement law, security baselines and contractual rules specified in appendices and draft contract. Non-EU entities may participate only where permitted by procurement rules and where they comply with requirements; bidders must check the tender specifications for the precise list of eligible jurisdictions.

Mentioned countries and region:No individual Member States are singled out in the call text; the opportunity is European in scope and is managed by an EU agency (EISMEA). The primary regional eligibility is the European Union and associated countries as applicable under EU procurement rules.

Consortium, Subcontracting and Application Format

The tender is a single-lot procedure but allows bidders to rely on other entities, to form consortia, and to propose identified subcontractors. The procurement includes specific templates for commitment letters by identified subcontractors and by entities on whose capacities the bidder relies. Bidders must provide technical capacity documentation, a financial offer (Annex 6), the technical tender form (Annex 7) and the list of documents (Annex 1).

1. 1Consortium requirement: not strictly single-only; consortia and subcontracting are permitted and accommodated via templates (Annex 5.1, 5.2 and Annex 4).
2. 2Contractual relationship: a single contractor (or lead entity of a consortium) will sign the service contract with EISMEA; subcontracting must be declared and commitment letters provided.
3. 3Application format: electronic submission through the EU Funding & Tenders Portal (eSubmission).

Application Process, Templates and Required Documents

Applicants must submit a full tender package via the Funding & Tenders Portal by the stated deadline. The tender package must include administrative, technical and financial documents as listed in the Annex 1 list of documents to be submitted. The procuring authority provides multiple annex templates and a draft contract to be used by bidders. These documents include required declarations, capacity proof templates, technical tender form, financial offer spreadsheet for work packages and tasks, commitment letters for subcontractors and entities whose capacities are relied upon, and a power of attorney where applicable.

Evaluation, Award Criteria and Contracting

Award will be based on quality and price criteria. The tendering data specify weighting with quality carrying 70 percent and price 30 percent, but full details and sub-criteria are to be consulted in the procurement documents (award criteria descriptions, technical evaluation grid, and score thresholds in the Tender Specifications). The open tender event and possible clarification periods are indicated in the tendering timeline. Appeals and complaint procedures are governed by the appeal terms indicated in the tender documentation.

Application stages and process flow:Main application flow: one formal electronic submission stage (eSubmission) followed by evaluation by the contracting authority. The process includes a period for clarification questions (additional information request period up to 4 August 2026) and an evaluation stage with scoring against quality and price criteria. There is no separate two-phase call described; bidders should expect administrative compliance checks, then technical and financial evaluation. Contract award follows evaluation and administrative checks.

Nature of Support, Co-funding and Financial Conditions

Nature of support:this is a paid service contract; beneficiaries (contractors) will receive monetary payments from EISMEA under the contract for services rendered. It is not a grant to third parties; instead, EISMEA procures services which deliver support to startups and corporates. Co-funding requirement: not applicable in the typical grant sense—contractor proposals do not need to contribute co-funding to the contract price, but the financial offer must reflect full cost of delivering the services; subcontractors and consortium partners may contribute their own resources as part of performance at bidder discretion. The tender documents specify invoicing, payment terms and possible performance-related clauses in the draft contract.

Success Rates and Competition

No explicit historical or statistical success rate is provided in the tender documents. As a competitive EU procurement with an estimated overall contract value and high visibility, bidders should assume significant competition from established innovation consultancies, event organisers, and consortia combining technical, business and ecosystem expertise. Selection will follow strict administrative and qualification checks and then weighted technical and financial evaluation criteria.

Practical Considerations and Risks

Key risks and compliance points for bidders include meeting the security requirements (Appendix 3 and Appendix 2 security baseline), properly completing the declaration of honour and turnover statements, ensuring all commitment letters for subcontractors and relied-on entities are correctly signed, and strictly following the submission format and deadlines via the Funding & Tenders Portal. Bidders should examine the draft contract and change order annex to understand liabilities, IP and deliverable acceptance criteria.

1. 1Ensure timely eSubmission and verify the Funding & Tenders Portal timestamps.
2. 2Complete Annex 7 technical tender form and Annex 6 financial offer precisely according to the provided templates.
3. 3Provide all mandatory administrative documents listed in Annex 1 and sign the Declaration of Honour (Annex 2).
4. 4Address security requirements in Appendix 3 and Appendix 2 as required by the draft contract.
5. 5Prepare commitment letters for subcontractors and entities relied upon using Annex 5.1 and 5.2 templates.

Summary and How to Explain This Opportunity

This opportunity is a Europe-wide procurement tender published by EISMEA to commission a service provider (single contractor or consortium led by a contracting entity) to run and upgrade the EIC Corporate Partnership Programme (CPP) 4.0. The contractor will operate EIC Multi-Corporate Days, provide direct expert support to enable Proofs of Concept and pilots between large corporates and EIC-backed deep tech startups and scaleups, establish and manage the European Corporate Network to share best practices in corporate venturing, and position the EIC as the go-to centre for corporate-startup collaboration. The contract is worth an estimated €4.8 million over 36 months, requires an electronic submission via the Funding & Tenders Portal, and includes detailed annex templates and a draft service contract. Bidders must follow the provided administrative, technical and financial templates, meet security and contractual requirements, and prepare for a competitive evaluation where quality carries a heavier weight than price.

This procurement is relevant to established innovation intermediaries, consultancies, event and programme managers, research organisations and consortia that can demonstrate experience in corporate-startup collaboration, delivering pilots and PoCs at scale, and managing pan-European networks and events. Successful bidders will be contracted to deliver tangible programmes and services that foster industrial uptake of deep tech in Europe and will work closely with large corporations and EIC-backed companies to translate innovative technologies into scalable business outcomes.

For full details, bidders must consult the published tender specifications, draft contract and annexes available on the Funding & Tenders Portal and use the Annex templates provided to prepare their submission. Relevant documents include the Tender Specifications (EISMEA2026OP0026 - EIC CPP 4.0), the Draft Direct Service Contract, Annex 6 financial offer, Annex 7 technical tender form, Annex 1 list of documents and the security appendices ¹.

Footnotes

1. 1See the tender documentation published on the Funding & Tenders Portal for EISMEA/2026/OP/0026 (EIC Corporate Partnership Programme 4.0) including: Tender specifications (EISMEA2026OP0026 -EIC CPP 4.0), Draft Direct Service Contract, Annex 1 to Annex 8, Annex 6 financial offer form and Annex 7 technical tender form available from the call page.

What This Opportunity Is About

This tender seeks a contractor to deliver the EIC Corporate Partnership Programme 4.0, the European Innovation Council’s flagship initiative connecting deep-tech startups and scale-ups with leading corporations to drive industrial uptake of deep tech in Europe ¹. The programme builds on a track record since 2017, enhancing corporate-startup collaboration through proven formats like EIC Corporate Days and Multi-Corporate Days while introducing new services to boost business conversion and long-term impact ¹.

Core Objectives:The contractor will be responsible for: upgrading EIC (Multi-)Corporate Days; providing expert assistance to develop Proofs of Concept (PoCs), pilots, and scalable business activities; establishing and managing the new European Corporate Network (ECN) with fora and working groups; and positioning the EIC as a centre of excellence for corporate-startup collaboration, including promoting venture clienting approaches ¹².

Who Should Apply

Organisations with expertise in corporate innovation, startup-corporate business creation, venture clienting, and industrial adoption are encouraged to apply ². The ideal candidate must have proven capabilities in identifying and engaging leading corporations, organising business acceleration activities, supporting post-matching follow-up, and coordinating stakeholder engagement for deep-tech sectors ¹.

Key Programme Details

Strategic Sectors Covered

The programme will support collaboration across strategic deep-tech sectors including advanced manufacturing, energy, climate technologies, health, digital technologies, artificial intelligence, semiconductors, quantum technologies, advanced materials, mobility, space, and other domains aligned with the EIC portfolio ¹.

How to Apply & Required Documents

Applications must be submitted electronically via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal by the deadline ¹. Key documents include the tender specifications (EISMEA2026OP0026 -EIC CPP 4.0), financial offer form (Annex 6), technical tender form (Annex 7), declaration of honour (Annex 2), technical capacity statement (Annex 2.2), turnover statement (Annex 2.1), and draft service contract ¹.

1. 1Review tender specifications and draft contract
2. 2Prepare financial offer using Annex 6 (Excel)
3. 3Complete technical tender form (Annex 7)
4. 4Submit declaration of honour and technical capacity proof
5. 5Upload all documents via EU Funding & Tenders Portal

Why This Matters for Applicants

Winning this tender positions your organisation as a key enabler of Europe’s deep-tech ecosystem, directly supporting EIC-backed companies to secure customers, pilots, and commercial agreements with major corporations ¹. The programme contributes to the EIC’s Business Acceleration Services, helping innovative companies grow faster, access new markets, and become global technology leaders while strengthening Europe’s industrial competitiveness ¹.

Footnotes

1. 1Official call for tenders: EIC Corporate Partnership Programme 4.0
2. 2LinkedIn announcement by Stéphane Ouaki: EIC CPP 4.0 Tender