However, they can be faced with the challenge of developing products that meet the needs of the demand side and fit the right clients. Here, innovation procurement comes in. It can help to respond to unmet needs or new expectations which are not adequately addressed through the existing solutions on the market. The acquisition of innovation by public and private organisations enables better and more efficient service delivery to customers and citizens. For example, at the level of the EU, the purchasing power of public buyers accounts for around 14% of the GDP. It represents a considerable share of local economies in many parts of Europe.

But how do start-ups and SMEs meet their needs? And how can innovation procurement procedures aim at better targeting the demand-side needs?

To answer these questions, the European Cluster Collaboration Platform, on behalf of the European Commission, DG GROW, organised the EU Clusters Talk “Innovation procurement: How to match the best demands and solutions” on 13 September 2023, 8:30 – 9:45 CET and discussed how to bring together the demand-side needs and the development of new products or services by innovative suppliers and learned from the experience of the projects BRINC, InnoBuyers, and Procure4health.

Speakers included:

• Anita Poort, Innovation procurement policy officer, DG GROW, European Commission (tbc);
• Carlos Larrañeta Gómez-Caminero, Project Coordinator, Public Procurement Innovation Office, Regional Government of Andalusia;
• Joan Juul, Project Manager, International Cleantech Network;
• Jorge González, Director, TICBIOMED.

Watch the recorded session

This event is part of regular online meetings brought to the cluster community by the European Cluster Collaboration Platform. They offer up-to-date insights into the latest industrial policies and clusters’ involvement, projects, and best practices, the latest ECCP news, and funding opportunities. The EU Clusters Talks are a space to exchange knowledge and discuss cluster-relevant topics, which will change with every meeting.

Prior registration to this event is compulsory before 13 September 2023, 7:30 CEST. This EU Clusters Talk is open to participants from the European Union and SMP/COSME countries. Approval for attending the session will be given individually.