SPIN4EIC Agriculture, food and beverage

Challenge: Sustainable cocoa butter alternatives - Cargill

    Sustainable cocoa butter alternatives Challenge by Cargill About Cargill is an American multinational and a global leader in food, agriculture, financial, and industrial solutions, with a focus on sustainability, innovation and supply chain excellence. The Challenge The challenge focuses on identifying alternatives to cocoa butter that can be used either in combination with cocoa butter or as a full substitute. The aim is to explore:

• Alternatives that mimic the structure of cocoa butter, specifically symmetrical di-saturated triglycerides (SUS type: Saturated-Unsaturated-Saturated).
• Other potential fat structures that provide a pronounced melting profile, similar to that found in certain lauric oils, such as palm kernel stearin.

The goal is to develop viable alternatives to cocoa butter that maintain desirable functional and sensory properties, while ensuring compatibility with chocolate formulations and offering flexibility in the supply of ingredients. Timeframe

• Deadline for Submitting Proposals: February 28, 2025

Who can apply

• Solutions with TRLs 4-9 
• Applicants with a clear path to industrial scale production (1000 MT fat per year)

How to apply Application through the HALO Platform. Find here all the details and the submission page The SPIN4EIC consortium is not responsible for the challenges launched by private or public buyers. Each participating entity is solely responsible for its own challenge, including the selection process, communication with applicants, and all information provided to participants.

EIC Innovation Procurement Academy: we're calling EIC awardees to seize this opportunity!

The SPIN4EIC Strategic Innovation Procurement initiative offers hands-on assistance to EIC awardees to take part as bidders in public and private sector innovation procurement processes, including procurement of research and development (R&D) services, within and outside the European Union (EU). In this context, we are inviting EIC awardees to apply to the third edition of the EIC Innovation Procurement Academy powered by SPIN4EIC, taking place fully online between 7 April and 10 April 2025. The Academy will introduce the most crucial aspects of (public and private sector) innovation procurement within the EU and at international level. What’s in it for you? Are you an EIC awardee wanting to leverage innovation procurement as part of your business strategy? Then we invite you to apply for this opportunity! This is a unique chance for you to learn from experienced procurement trainers and peer EIC awardees. Ultimately, this can empower you to open up business opportunities and effectively market your innovative solutions. The courses are organised to offer EIC awardees trainings and inspiring learning sessions to develop their skills and capacity to participate in procurement opportunities, thereby helping them to scale their businesses. Apply to the Academy by completing this form by 28 February 2025!

EIC launches InnoMatch Programme with €60,000 grants for innovative pilots or PoC

The EIC has announced InnoMatch in the context of its Innovation Procurement Programme. InnoMatch is designed to fund up to 20 innovative pilots or proof-of-concepts, each receiving a maximum of €60,000. Selected EIC Awardees, will embark on a 12-month journey, with up to six months allocated for deploying their cutting-edge solutions. The programme offers additional benefits, including training, coaching, mentoring. This initiative aims to bridge the gap between innovation and market adoption, fostering impactful collaborations. Apply here by 17 April 2025 Why Join?

• EIC Awardees: Gain financial backing, early customer access, and help overcoming market entry barriers.
• Buyers: Test state-of-the-art solutions at no cost, addressing innovation challenges and minimizing procurement risks.

Who can apply? Applications are open exclusively to EIC Awardees, including beneficiaries of EIC Pathfinder, EIC Transition, EIC Accelerator contracts, and winners of EIC Prizes. Buyers cannot apply but will benefit through collaboration with awardees. This open call is sector agnostic. EIC Awardees must team up with public or private Buyers, and can apply with a solution to be piloted in any sector.

Stimulating SME participation in procurement

The article Stimulating SME participation in procurement by ICLEI highlights the challenges SMEs face in public procurement, such as financial limitations and bureaucratic hurdles, which often reduce their participation despite their significant contribution to GDP. It showcases EU initiatives like contract fragmentation, e-procurement, and innovation procurement programs to address these barriers and it stresses the importance of simplifying procurement processes implementing digital tools like e-procurement systems. Additionally, it highlights innovation-driven procurement practices that allow SMEs to contribute their expertise, enhance market competition, and foster innovation within the EU, creating more opportunities for small businesses to thrive. Read the full article here!