The SPIN4EIC initiative, powered by EIC Innovation Procurement Programme is organizing an online Pitching session with the Waterschap Limburg (WL) organization, on 31 January 2025. This will be an unmissable opportunity for EIC beneficiaries to share their solutions in the field of AI solutions in front of the Dutch Waterschap Limburg (WL), winner of 2021 European Innovation Procurement Award Prize.
Are you an EIC beneficiary? Do you have an interesting solution that responds to one or more of the challenges to pitch to WL?
Apply here before 9 December 2024. New deadline: 6 January 2025.
Seize the opportunity to connect with WL – don't miss your chance!
For this pitching opportunity a maximum of 5 EIC beneficiaries will be selected to participate in each of the 5 proposed challenges. The regional wastewater treatment company, with an investment of approximately €20 million, will drive innovation aimed at unlocking the full potential of AI in water treatment processes, enhancing efficiency, and setting new standards in water treatment technology.
What's in for you?
WL manages 17 wastewater treatment plants and over 1500 pumping stations, processing 150 million m³ of wastewater annually. Committed to sustainability, WL not only purifies water but also repurposes valuable materials, aligning with its mission to maximize the value of water resources.
This matchmaking event is a unique opportunity for EIC beneficiaries to shape the Procurement Program of WL, as well as to position themselves as potential suppliers and showcase how their technologies can address WL’s challenges and priorities in the fields of AI, cybersecurity and digital twin technologies to optimize processes, ensure system security, and enhance real-time decision-making.
This opportunity is designed to drive innovation and optimize operations by leveraging AI advanced technologies. It is underpinned by a structured approach to innovation procurement, employing mechanisms such as Pre-Commercial Procurement (PCP) and Public Procurement of Innovative Solutions (PPI):
- PCP supports the development of groundbreaking solutions not yet available on the market, allowing suppliers to develop innovative solutions and test their prototypes. This approach addresses innovative needs like holistic water management, multimodal data analysis, and cybersecurity integration, creating opportunities for potential suppliers to collaborate with the contracting authority in creating tailor-made solutions.
- PPI focuses on purchasing and scaling solutions that are ready for deployment but require further adaptation to the buyer's needs. It facilitates the adoption of advanced technologies, such as predictive analytics tools and digital twin systems, to optimize existing infrastructure. It provides contracting authorities with ready-to-use solutions to solve operational challenges, ensuring efficient implementation.
In the long term, the results of this opportunity may also influence the hardware investments program of WL and similar investments programs in neighbouring areas.
Focus Areas of the Call
- Digital Twin Development and Integration
- Create virtual replicas of WL’s physical systems, enabling real-time monitoring and predictive analysis.
- Use IoT sensors and APIs to ensure seamless data integration across SCADA, ERP, and asset management systems.
- Simulate operational scenarios to forecast system behavior, identify inefficiencies, and prevent failures.
- Advanced IT Infrastructure
- Design hybrid architectures combining edge, on-premise, and cloud solutions to support scalable and resilient operations.
- Leverage containerization and microservices to enhance modularity and adaptability of digital twin components.
- Develop scalable data storage and analytics frameworks to manage real-time and historical data effectively.
- Cybersecurity for Critical Infrastructure
- Implement "security by design" principles, ensuring protection at every layer of IT and digital twin systems.
- Deploy AI-powered threat detection and response systems to address vulnerabilities proactively.
- Adhere to industry standards like GDPR and the NIS Directive, ensuring data integrity and compliance.
- Data Analytics and AI Integration
- Incorporate AI and machine learning models for predictive maintenance, anomaly detection, and performance optimization.
- Process large datasets using advanced analytics platforms to extract actionable insights.
- Visualize data through dashboards that support real-time decision-making and long-term planning.
- Sustainability and IT Optimization
- Develop IT frameworks that minimize energy consumption and track carbon footprints.
- Create systems that align digital twin implementation with WL’s sustainability goals, ensuring an eco-friendly approach.
When?
- Application deadline: 6 January 2025
- Communication to selected participants: second week of January 2025
- Max 2 hours online pitching guiding session: third week of January 2025
- Online pitching session: 31 January 2025
Where?
Online. Selected EIC beneficiaries will receive the invitation to join the session.
Who can apply?
- EIC awardees from the EIC Accelerator (SME Instrument included), EIC Transition and EIC Pathfinder (FET Active and FET Open included) funding schemes
- Women TechEU awardees (implemented under the European Innovation Ecosystems)
- Members of the EIC Scaling Club
- Seal of Excellence (under Horizon Europe)
The EIC awardees mentioned above, who can provide solutions to the needs of WL expressed through 5 different challenges described above, are eligible for this opportunity. Additionally, EIC awardees with solutions in other sectors that could be applicable also to the water treatment area, are invited to consider applying.
How can you be selected?
In order to qualify for selection, you must complete this form before 6 January 2025.
You may select more than one challenge in the application form question 8: Which of the five (5) key challenges can your company address? and insert further details about each one of the challenges you wish to address in the dedicated area.
Please note the following application requirements:
- only applications in English will be considered;
- applicants will be asked to select among the challenges in their application. Applicants can apply for more than one challenge. The application form will allow the Buyer to gain a comprehensive understanding of your value proposition and assess the company´s suitability to participate in the pitching event;
- applicants will be asked to select among the challenges and upload their pitching deck, which should include information about the company, the solution and its value proposition, how it addresses the challenge described (technical details), practical application of the solution -references, market and competition, business model;
- On request, WL can ask for more information after the pitching event.
Please consider that, depending on the demand and on the number of applications received, WL may consider to combine the challenges.
Should you have any questions regarding this matchmaking opportunity or your eligibility, please contact us through our Helpdesk by selecting the category "SPIN4EIC powered by EIC BAS Innovation Procurement Programme”, or reach out to us via spin4eic@intelleraconsulting.com.
About SPIN4EIC & EIC Innovation Procurement Programme
SPIN4EIC is an innovative and unique flagship initiative powered by the EIC Innovation Procurement Programme dedicated to delivering valuable support services to EIC innovators. Its purpose is to enhance their ability to access procurement markets both in Europe and worldwide. The program is committed to promoting the entry of outstanding EIC innovators into procurement markets, generating broader prospects for inventive SMEs and startups. Subscribe to the SPIN4EIC Newsletter to receive all the relevant news about the initiative!
DISCLAIMER: This information is provided in the interest of knowledge sharing and should not be interpreted as the official view of the European Commission, or any other organisation.