What is the BIND 4.0 SME Connection?
Through the BIND 4.0 SME Connection, innovative Startups discover current industry challenges and get immersed in the cooperative Basque Entrepreneurial and Innovation Ecosystem through Open Innovation. Participating Startups earn reputable reference customers while working on paid contracts implementing solutions in real environments for one or more leading local companies.
This public-private BIND 4.0 program is led by industry Cluster Management Organisations based in the Basque Country. The goal is twofold, to bring startups clients by presenting their disruptive solutions to SMEs in order to boost digital transformation and face their technological challenges.
The driving force of the SME Connection is to use the BIND 4.0 open innovation ecosystem and platform model to facilitate innovation projects between Basque SMEs and startups. BIND 4.0 SME Connection generates new opportunities for collaboration following the model of Cluster-led Challenges and the open innovation model of the BIND 4.0 platform.
Startup Benefits
Startups benefit from the active participation of innovative companies seeking targeted solutions to joint challenges defined by the SMEs and their Cluster Organisations.
What type of Startups should apply?
Sector-led Challenges for Industry 4.0
Through their cooperation within Basque industry Clusters, the members of the BIND 4.0 SME Connection identify a series of common challenges that directly affect the SMEs. The goal is to respond to these challenges through the development of innovative projects in collaboration with technology startups. Once the applications have been submitted, the SMEs can select the solutions presented that best fit their demand, depending on the challenges posed. In some cases, more than one startup may be selected for the same challenge.
2nd Edition SME and Cluster Organizations, Looking for New Technologies
The SMEs that form the BIND 4.0 SME Connection are active members of different Basque Clusters and leaders of reference in their sector. This year, 24 SMEs are looking for innovative solutions to respond to the new challenges faced by the industry in its digital transformation process, through the application and development of disruptive technologies.